CHINA EVACUATES MORE THAN ONE MILLION AS TYPHOON BAVI NEARS EASTERN COAST

China evacuated more than 1.8 million people as Typhoon Bavi approached the country's eastern coast, with landfall expected near Wenzhou in Zhejiang province by early Sunday, according to Reuters. The storm weakened from its earlier peak but remained dangerous, with sustained winds of about 144 kilometers per hour and a wide rain field capable of producing flooding and landslides.

The Associated Press reported that more than 1.7 million people were evacuated in Zhejiang, with additional evacuations in Shanghai and Fujian. China's National Meteorological Center issued an orange typhoon alert and a red rainstorm alert, while authorities suspended flights, rail services, ferry routes and school operations in areas expected to face heavy rain and strong winds.

Reuters reported that Fujian evacuated more than 100,000 residents as Bavi moved closer to landfall. The storm was about 200 kilometers southeast of Wenling on Saturday morning and was expected to come ashore near Wenzhou, a major coastal city with about 10 million residents.

Taiwan avoided a direct landfall but still saw major disruption. Reuters reported that more than 14,000 people were evacuated, mostly from mountainous areas, while nearly 1,000 flights were canceled and high-speed rail service was reduced. The Associated Press reported that Taiwan relocated more than 14,200 people and recorded 113 injuries as schools and offices closed across much of the island.

Japan's southern islands were also affected before the storm moved toward China. AP reported that Okinawa and nearby islands faced storm surges, high winds and heavy rain, with more than 200 flights canceled. Reuters reported that Bavi's outer bands brought strong wind and rain to Japan's southern Sakishima islands and northern Taiwan before the storm moved toward the Chinese coast.

The Philippines reported deadly impacts from monsoon rains intensified by Bavi. Reuters reported that 17 people were killed as enhanced monsoon rains triggered flooding and landslides. AP reported that about 11,000 people were displaced and sought emergency shelter after the storm system strengthened rainfall across parts of the country.

The storm arrived as China was already responding to severe weather from another typhoon, Maysak. The Financial Times reported that China was managing back-to-back extreme-weather impacts, including earlier flooding, evacuations and deaths, while Bavi added new risks for Zhejiang, Fujian and nearby coastal regions.

The immediate questions are where Bavi makes landfall, how much rain falls over Zhejiang and Fujian, and whether mass evacuations prevent additional deaths. Authorities are expected to continue updating typhoon alerts, rainstorm warnings, transport suspensions and emergency deployments as the storm moves inland.

Fact-check date: 11 July 2026
Article type: News
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Financial Times, China National Meteorological Center reporting cited by AP and Reuters