China evacuates over one million as Typhoon Bavi nears
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Typhoon Bavi is forecast to make landfall around Wenzhou, home to some 10 million people, in the early hours of July 12.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- China evacuated over 1.8 million people as Typhoon Bavi approached the eastern city of Wenzhou, which is home to about 10 million residents.
- Taiwan evacuated more than 14,000 people, cancelled nearly 1,200 flights, and closed offices and schools to prepare for heavy rain and strong winds.
- Typhoon Bavi caused 17 deaths in the Philippines and minor injuries in Japan's Okinawa, but no deaths have been reported in Taiwan or Japan so far.
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WENZHOU – China evacuated more than 1.8 million people on July 11, as Typhoon Bavi churned towards the major eastern city of Wenzhou after pummelling Japan’s southern Sakishima island chain with heavy rain and violent winds and brushing past northern Taiwan.
Even as Bavi continues to slow and weaken on its north-westerly path over cooler seas, the typhoon is still a potent risk given the sheer volume of moisture it holds within its rain bands, about the size of France from end to end.
Bavi had maximum sustained winds of 144kmh, equivalent to Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, and was about 200km south-east of Wenling in the eastern province of Zhejiang as at 0808 GMT (4.08pm Singapore time), according to China’s National Meteorological Center.
Bavi is forecast to make landfall around Wenzhou, home to some 10 million people, in the early hours of July 12.
State media said more than 1.7 million people had been evacuated across Zhejiang province, where Wenzhou is located, and more than 100,000 in neighbouring Fujian province.
“I’m a little worried, but I think it’ll be okay. We’ve been through typhoons before. We’ll get through it,” said Wenzhou resident Huang Xinghuan, 50, who was out buying groceries at a traditional wet market before it closed ahead of the typhoon.
Huang said his family had stocked about two to three days’ worth of water. “I think supplies are well guaranteed now. There’s no need to panic or stockpile a lot of food or other supplies.”
Chen Qiuqin, in her 60s, walked through steady rain on her way to her parents’ home in Wenzhou to help them prepare for the approaching typhoon, but said she was not too concerned given the government’s preparations.
“I was worried about the flowerpots on my mother’s balcony, so I’m going to help move them inside. My parents are both elderly, and they’re home alone, so I wasn’t at ease,” she said.
State media said more than 1.7 million people had been evacuated in Zhejiang province, where Wenzhou is located, and more than 100,000 in neighbouring Fujian province.
PHOTO: REUTERS
While Japan and Taiwan have not so far reported any deaths from the typhoon, 17 people died in the Philippines as a result of heavy rain brought by an enhanced south-west monsoon, worsened by Bavi’s impact.
Taiwan’s fire department said 87 people had been injured, mostly falls from motorcycles or bicycles, as well as people falling over or being struck by objects.
Taiwan spared worst of Bavi
In Taiwan, the government evacuated more than 14,000 people from mainly mountainous areas as the island shut down for the approach of Bavi to the north.
While Bavi did not make landfall on Taiwan, the government took precautions to prevent loss of life, given forecasts for almost 1m of rain in some areas.
Most of those evacuated were in areas in the north and east, with 920 international flights cancelled, effectively closing Taiwan’s main international airport in Taoyuan, outside the capital Taipei, as well as all 282 domestic flights.
While Bavi did not make landfall on Taiwan, the government took precautions to prevent loss of life, given forecasts for almost 1m of rain in some areas.
PHOTO: AFP
Almost all cities and counties across Taiwan declared a typhoon holiday for July 11, closing any offices and schools that may have been open on the weekend, though in Taipei, some restaurants and convenience stores remained open.
The main north-south high-speed rail line also continued to operate, but with reduced service.
In downtown Taipei, some people were still out on the street in blustery wind and rain.
“It’s okay, it’s not that serious,” said resident Yeh Mao-hsiung, 68, out for a morning walk with his dog. “It’s just a little bit more wind.”
Almost all cities and counties across Taiwan declared a typhoon holiday for July 11.
PHOTO: REUTERS
But in Taipei’s Beitou neighbourhood in the foothills of the mountains surrounding the city, gusts of around 100kmh knocked down trees and swelled rivers.
Okinawa residents injured
Typhoon Bavi packed winds of up to 144kmh over Okinawa’s Miyako Island on July 11, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Five people had sustained minor injuries related to strong winds and high waves, the prefectural government said.
Strong wind rattles trees at a port as Typhoon Bavi passes through in Ishigaki, Japan, on July 11.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have reported cancellations for flights to and from Okinawa and the Amami region in south-western Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture.
The season’s ninth typhoon has moved away from Japan. KYODO NEWS, REUTERS
