According to storm news, the latest low pressure from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), on the evening of July 11, Typhoon Ba Vi (international name Bavi) is in a position about 606 km northwest of Kadena Air Base. In the past 6 hours, the storm has moved in a Northwest direction at a speed of about 30 km/h.
The strongest wind near the storm center reached 150 km/h. The highest wave height recorded is about 15.8 m.
Typhoon Ba Vi is forecast to make landfall in Wenzhou - a city with about 10 million people - on the morning of July 12. Although moving slowly and weakening as it enters colder waters, the meteorological agency warns that the storm still poses a very high risk due to carrying huge amounts of moisture.
Chinese media reported that more than 1.7 million people in Zhejiang province and more than 100,000 people in Fujian province have been evacuated to respond to the storm.
In Wenzhou, many traditional markets closed before the storm made landfall. People rushed to buy food and necessities to stockpile. Others still rushed to reinforce their houses and harvest agricultural products before the storm made landfall.
Meanwhile, in Taiwan (China), authorities have evacuated more than 14,000 people, mainly in mountainous areas, although the storm's eye did not directly hit the island. Authorities are still implementing preventive measures due to concerns that very heavy rainfall could cause landslides and flash floods.
Most of the evacuated people are concentrated in the North and East of Taiwan (China). The storm caused 920 international flights and all 282 domestic flights to be canceled. Daoyuan International Airport - Taiwan's (China) largest air gateway - had to temporarily suspend operations.
Most cities and localities in Taiwan (China) gave people leave from work and school on July 11. However, in Taipei, some restaurants and convenience stores are still open, while the North-South high-speed railway line continues to operate with reduced frequency.
According to the Taiwan (China) fire department, at least 87 people were injured, mainly due to motorbike and bicycle falls, falling or being hit by falling objects in bad weather conditions. In the center of Taipei, some people still went outside despite heavy rain and strong winds.
In Beitou district, north of Taipei, gusts of about 100 km/h knocked down many green trees and caused river water levels to rise.
In Japan, Typhoon Ba Vi caused heavy rain and strong winds in the Sakishima island chain, causing many green trees to be broken and fallen and affecting people's lives. However, so far both Japan and Taiwan (China) have not recorded any deaths directly related to the typhoon.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, heavy rain due to the intensified Southwest monsoon combined with the impact of Typhoon Ba Vi has killed at least 17 people.
According to the meteorological agency, although the intensity is weakening, Typhoon Ba Vi may still cause widespread heavy rain, flooding and landslides in coastal provinces in eastern China when it makes landfall in the Wenzhou area on July 12. Localities are required to continue to maintain response measures, closely monitor the developments of the typhoon and be ready to evacuate more people if necessary.
People and tourists planning to travel to China, Taiwan (China) and storm-affected areas should closely monitor weather developments. Consider your itinerary, regularly check your flight schedule and follow local instructions to avoid dangerous storms.
