Typhoon Bavi hits China, injures 113

Typhoon Bavi made landfall in eastern China's Zhejiang province on Saturday night, packing winds of 144 km/h before being downgraded to a severe tropical storm. Chinese authorities evacuated approximately 1.72 million people in Zhejiang, as well as tens of thousands in Fujian, Shanghai, and Beijing, to mitigate the impact. No casualties or major damage were initially reported in China, though the storm caused widespread disruption with hundreds of flights and train services cancelled. Prior to reaching China, Typhoon Bavi lashed northern Taiwan, where it injured at least 113 people (according to Taipei Times) or 134 people (according to NOS) – mostly from falls during strong winds and slippery roads. No deaths were reported in Taiwan. The storm knocked out power to over 230,000 households and caused flooding and landslides, prompting the evacuation of more than 14,000 residents. Taiwan's Central Emergency Operations Center reported over 2,100 incidents of fallen trees and infrastructure damage. The storm also affected Japan's remote southwestern islands before moving toward China. After landfall, Bavi weakened but continued to bring torrential rain and strong winds, raising risks of flash floods and landslides across eastern China. The response in China was characterized by proactive evacuations and suspension of work, transport, and outdoor activities.