Typhoon Bavi Approaches Japan, Taiwan, and China

Typhoon Bavi tracked toward Japan's Sakishima Islands, Taiwan, and southeastern China, carrying maximum sustained winds of 162 km/h (100 mph). The storm was forecast to pass very close to the Sakishima Islands — a remote island chain near Taiwan that is part of Okinawa Prefecture — early Saturday morning, July 11.

Authorities warned of violent winds, torrential rain, landslides, and flooding in the regions in the path of the typhoon.

The storm caused mass flight cancellations across the region. Japan Airlines cancelled more than 100 flights for July 10 and 11, affecting nearly 20,000 passengers, while All Nippon Airways cancelled more than 160 flights through July 12, disrupting travel for roughly 20,000 people.

Nearly 900 buildings in Okinawa Prefecture were without power as Typhoon Bavi approached.

Center-left outlets reported that Typhoon Bavi caused devastation in the southern Philippines before moving toward Japan, Taiwan, and China. The Japan Times reported that two landslides triggered by the typhoon's heavy rain on the Philippines' southern island of Mindanao killed at least 15 people and left six others missing.

Center-left outlets reported that local residents on Ishigaki Island were taping up windows and draping windproof nets across homes and shops in preparation for the typhoon. The South China Morning Post reported that residents stocked up on supplies, emptying shelves of instant noodles at a local supermarket, and that some public beaches, coastal parks, and the local ferry terminal appeared closed.

The Straits Times reported that Typhoon Bavi was not expected to make landfall in Taiwan, though some areas could see up to 1 meter of rain starting late July 10. The outlet reported that the storm was downgraded to a moderate typhoon after weakening slightly.

The Straits Times reported that Taiwan President Lai Ching-te warned that despite the typhoon's weakening, its large storm radius meant it could still bring strong winds and heavy rain to many areas. "Despite the typhoon's weakening, its large storm radius means it could still bring strong winds and heavy rain to many areas" — Lai Ching-te, President of Taiwan.

The Straits Times reported that more than 2,000 people were evacuated in Taiwan, mainly from the mountainous eastern coast, and nearly 29,000 military personnel were placed on standby to assist relief efforts. The Taipei government set up stations for residents to collect sandbags ahead of the typhoon.

The Straits Times reported that Taiwan's financial markets closed for the day due to the typhoon, and a large portion of north and east Taiwan was off work. TSMC delayed the release of its June sales data from July 10 to July 13 due to the typhoon.

The Straits Times reported that Taiwanese airlines cancelled all flights on July 11 from Taoyuan International Airport. Cathay Pacific cancelled weekend flights between Hong Kong and Taiwan and some flights to Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Fuzhou.

The Straits Times reported that Typhoon Bavi was forecast to make landfall late July 11 or early July 12 near the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou, which has a population of 10 million.

The Japan Times characterized Typhoon Bavi as potentially the region's most destructive storm in years.