Typhoon Bavi: Landslide in Philippines, Evacuations in Taiwan as Deadly Storm Nears

Five people died and six remain missing after a landslide struck the southern Philippines island of Mindanao as Typhoon Bavi approached Taiwan, one of the strongest storms to threaten the region in decades. The typhoon, now downgraded from super typhoon strength, is expected to bring destructive winds and torrential rain to northern and eastern Taiwan before moving toward China over the weekend. Authorities in Taiwan have evacuated hundreds and placed thousands of troops on standby as the storm nears.

Typhoon Bavi, which first struck Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as a super typhoon earlier in the week, has weakened slightly but still carries maximum sustained winds of 162 kilometers per hour with gusts up to 198 kilometers per hour. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) in Taiwan warned that conditions remain unfavorable for further strengthening, though the storm’s large wind field—spanning 380 kilometers—will still bring severe impacts. Forecasters expect the greatest damage in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Yilan, with the heaviest rainfall likely in central and northern mountainous regions.

In the port city of Keelung, residents rushed to prepare for the storm by boarding up windows, stacking sandbags, and stocking up on food. Grocery store owner Chang Shih-huo, 76, described the typhoon as “huge” and said he had prepared enough instant noodles and bread to last several days. Local businesses and schools across northern and eastern Taiwan, including the capital Taipei, closed early Friday as domestic and international flights were canceled. In Hualien County, more than a thousand people were evacuated due to concerns over flooding and landslides, with authorities monitoring two barrier dams.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged residents in high-risk areas to remain vigilant, and over 20,000 military personnel were deployed with equipment ready for emergency response. In Japan’s remote Sakishima Islands, schools and offices closed as forecasters warned of high waves and landslides. Hotel worker Masaru Nakamura said staff were securing loose objects to prevent them from being blown away as the storm intensified.

After passing north of Taiwan, Bavi is projected to make landfall in eastern China by the weekend, where extreme weather has already killed at least 39 people this week. Heavy storms have caused rivers to overflow and a dam to breach. The European Union’s Copernicus Marine Service recently reported that ocean temperatures reached record highs in June, contributing to the intensity of tropical storms. The ongoing El Niño climate pattern, which warms Pacific surface temperatures, is also expected to influence storm behavior in the coming months.

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