Taiwan and eastern China brace for Typhoon Bavi as winds and rain hit Japan’s southern islands
TAIPEI: Typhoon Bavi has brought strong winds and rain to Japan’s southern islands, as Taiwan and eastern China brace for the powerful storm with evacuations and high alerts.
With maximum sustained winds of 144 kph (89 mph) near its center, Typhoon Bavi is forecast to pass north of Taiwan on Saturday, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration. It is expected to move toward Zhejiang in eastern China and, according to China’s National Meteorological Center, make landfall in the early hours of Sunday.
Across Japan’s southern islands in the prefecture of Okinawa, local authorities have warned of high waves, strong winds and storm surges, with more than 200 flights canceled across the region, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. Strong winds and rain have hit islands including Ishigaki.
As of Saturday at 8 a.m., Taiwan’s Central Emergency Operation Center registered at least 36 injuries from Typhoon Bavi, many sustained while riding motorcycles in rain and winds on slippery roads.
