East Asia braces as China evacuates 1.8 million for Typhoon Bavi
East Asia braces for Typhoon Bavi as China evacuated more than 1.8 million people on July 11, 2026, ahead of an expected landfall near Wenzhou, a city of roughly 10 million. Taiwan, Japan and southeastern China face heavy rain and violent winds after the storm brushed past northern Taiwan and pummelled Japan's Sakishima islands. The scale of the evacuation reflects how quickly a weakening but moisture-rich typhoon can still threaten one of the world's most densely populated coastlines.
Key Takeaways
- China evacuated more than 1.8 million people across Zhejiang and Fujian provinces as Bavi approached Wenzhou on July 11.
- Taiwan evacuated over 14,000 residents, cancelled hundreds of flights and shut down offices and schools as the storm passed to the north.
- Bavi packed sustained winds of 144 km/h and rain bands roughly the size of France, even as it slowed over cooler seas.
- Landslides linked to storm-related rains killed at least 15 people in the Philippines, according to the BBC.
- The brunt of the storm was expected across northern Taiwan on July 11, with landfall near Wenzhou forecast early on July 12.
Why did China evacuate more than one million people?
Chinese authorities moved more than 1.7 million residents in Zhejiang province and over 100,000 in neighbouring Fujian as Bavi tracked toward the eastern coast, Reuters reported.
As of 0808 GMT on July 11, the National Meteorological Center said the typhoon sat about 200 km southeast of Wenling in Zhejiang, carrying maximum sustained winds of 144 km/h (90 mph), equivalent to Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Forecasters expected Bavi to make landfall around Wenzhou in the early hours of July 12. Even as the storm continued to slow and weaken over cooler seas, Reuters noted its rain bands still held a vast volume of moisture.
How is Taiwan bracing as the typhoon passes north?
Taiwan did not take a direct hit, but the government evacuated more than 14,000 people from mainly mountainous areas and effectively shut the island down. Reuters reported that hundreds of flights were cancelled, effectively closing Taoyuan airport outside Taipei, along with all domestic services.
The Central Weather Administration warned the brunt of the storm would fall on July 11, with the typhoon's center forecast to pass north of the island and make its closest approach from midday through the evening, the Taipei Times reported.
Officials warned of extremely torrential rainfall in some areas and forecasts of almost one metre of rain in places. Coastal gusts could exceed 75 km/h as northern Taiwan bore the heaviest wind and rain.
What damage has Typhoon Bavi caused so far?
Before reaching China, Bavi lashed Japan's Sakishima island chain with heavy rain and violent winds, according to Reuters. Japan and Taiwan had not reported typhoon deaths as of July 11.
Further south, landslides and flooding tied to heavy rains worsened by Bavi killed at least 15 people in the Philippines, the BBC reported.
Across Taiwan, almost all cities and counties declared a typhoon holiday, closing offices and schools. Transport links and daily life ground to a halt as authorities kept people away from exposed coastlines and landslide-prone slopes.
Why does this storm matter beyond the immediate track?
Typhoon Bavi arrived as Taiwan, Japan and southeastern China all braced for a wide-reaching storm whose rain bands spanned an area roughly the size of France. Early forecasting and coordinated evacuations helped authorities move millions away from the most vulnerable zones before landfall.
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