Typhoon Bavi made landfall at 11:20 pm local time on July 11 in the coastal city of Taizhou, located in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. Before reaching mainland China, the powerful storm swept past Japan’s Sakishima Islands and moved close to the northern coast of Taiwan.
The typhoon arrived with maximum sustained winds of around 144 km/h, similar to a Category 1 hurricane. Moreover, its rain bands stretched across a massive area, almost as wide as France. As a result, both China and Taiwan experienced severe weather disruptions, including evacuations, injuries, power outages, and transportation delays.
Here is a complete look at how Typhoon Bavi affected both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Typhoon Bavi Timeline: From Formation to Landfall
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 25 | Bavi formed east-southeast of Kwajalein |
| July 2 | Named by Japan Meteorological Agency |
| July 5 | Reached Super Typhoon status and passed near Guam |
| July 8–9 | Hit the Philippines — 17 dead, 14 missing |
| July 11 | Passed northern Taiwan; 87 people injured |
| July 11, 11:20 PM | Made landfall in Taizhou, Zhejiang, China |
| July 12 | Weakening phase began as recovery operations started |
How Typhoon Bavi Affected China
China faced the strongest impact when Typhoon Bavi made landfall. Zhejiang province launched a massive evacuation operation, with more than 1.7 million people moved to safer locations. In addition, more than 100,000 people were evacuated from Fujian province and the Beijing region, while around 34,000 residents were moved from Shanghai.
Furthermore, more than 10,000 residents in Xiaguan Town, Zhejiang, were evacuated because of dangerous winds. Similarly, around 3,700 people from coastal risk zones in Ningde city, Fujian province, were relocated.
Meanwhile, authorities prepared approximately 17,000 emergency rescue workers to handle possible flooding, infrastructure damage, and rescue operations.
The storm arrived during an already difficult period for China. Just days earlier, Typhoon Maysak affected southern China, while continuous extreme weather caused major damage in several regions. Therefore, emergency teams were already dealing with multiple weather-related challenges when Bavi struck.
Taiwan Faces Heavy Rain, Injuries and Flight Chaos
Although Typhoon Bavi did not directly hit Taiwan, its powerful outer rain bands created widespread problems across the island.
The storm caused serious travel disruptions, property damage, and injuries. According to officials, the impact included:
- 87 people injured, mainly due to motorcycle and bicycle accidents on wet roads
- 14,605 people evacuated nationwide, including 5,182 residents from Hualien County
- 234,481 households lost electricity during the peak outage period, although 96% were restored by evening
- 2,156 reports of fallen trees and property damage, mainly in Taipei and Taichung
- 920 international flights cancelled, temporarily affecting operations at Taoyuan International Airport
Additionally, Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration issued its highest warning level for landslides and debris flows in northern areas. Meanwhile, waves reaching nearly 10 metres high hit parts of the northern coastline. Because of the dangerous conditions, almost every city and county announced a temporary “typhoon holiday.” Consequently, schools, offices, and businesses were closed, while emergency workers and military personnel continued operations.
China vs Taiwan: Typhoon Bavi Impact Comparison
| Category | China | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|
| Evacuated | Around 1.7 million (Zhejiang alone) | 14,605 |
| Injured | Under assessment | 87 |
| Fatalities | Under assessment | 0 confirmed |
| Flights disrupted | Several cancellations | 920 international flights |
| Power outages | Widespread | 234,481 households (96% restored) |
| Typhoon holiday | Partial areas affected | Nationwide |
Typhoon Bavi Recovery Efforts and Safety Advisory
By Tuesday, July 12, Typhoon Bavi had started weakening after moving over cooler inland areas. However, Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration warned that heavy rainfall could continue in central and southern mountainous regions as the storm moved further inland.
Meanwhile, China’s emergency teams began restoration work. Crews focused on repairing power networks, clearing blocked roads, and inspecting damaged buildings.
Moreover, officials expected Shanghai and Fujian to return to normal operations within one to two days. However, coastal communities in Zhejiang could require more time because they experienced the strongest impact.
Safety Guidelines for People in Affected Areas
If you are living in affected regions, follow these precautions:
- Avoid flooded roads and landslide-prone mountain areas until authorities remove warnings.
- Stay away from damaged electrical lines and overflowing rivers.
- Follow updates from China’s National Meteorological Centre and Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.
- Keep emergency supplies ready until all weather alerts are officially cancelled.