Typhoon Bavi Nears Taiwan: Five Dead in Philippines as Mass Evacuations and Warnings Spread
Typhoon Bavi is closing in on northern and eastern Taiwan, prompting evacuations of more than 1,000 people and emergency warnings after heavy rains and landslides left five dead in the Philippines. Authorities in Taiwan, the Philippines and neighbouring islands are preparing for destructive winds and flooding as Bavi moves northward.
Five killed in Philippines landslides linked to Typhoon Bavi
A landslide triggered by intense rainfall associated with Typhoon Bavi struck parts of Mindanao, southern Philippines, killing at least five people and leaving six others unaccounted for. Local police said the slope failure followed hours of heavy rain that intensified as the storm system moved through the Philippine archipelago.
Rescue teams have been deployed to search for the missing, while authorities cautioned residents in vulnerable mountain and coastal areas to avoid travel. The fatalities and ongoing searches underscored the storm’s deadly impact before it reached Taiwan.
Taiwan orders mass evacuations and suspends work and school
Taiwanese authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 1,000 residents and announced the suspension of work and school on Friday across eight northern and eastern cities and counties, including Taipei. Officials said nearly all residents in parts of Hualien County were told to relocate as a precaution while mountain reservoirs were closely monitored.
Emergency management centres coordinated the movement of families to shelters and provided guidance on securing homes and businesses. The government emphasised that the evacuations aimed to reduce casualties from storm surge, flooding and potential dam overflow in the island’s mountainous east.
Weather agency calls Bavi the biggest storm since 1995
Taiwan’s weather agency reported sustained winds around 198 kilometres per hour and described Bavi as the largest typhoon to threaten the island since 1995. Meteorologists noted that although the storm was downgraded from a super typhoon after causing heavy damage in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, its broad wind field still posed significant hazards.
Forecasters warned of torrential rain, large waves, and strong gusts extending far from the storm’s centre, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides in riverine and hilly regions. Authorities urged residents to heed official advisories and to avoid coastal areas during the storm’s passage.
Local preparations intensify in Keelung, Taipei and Hualien
In northern port city Keelung, residents stocked up on essentials, applied tape to windows and placed sandbags outside shops and homes in anticipation of flooding. Retailers reported a surge in purchases of bottled water, batteries and emergency supplies as people prepared for power outages and transport disruptions.
City officials deployed teams to reinforce flood barriers and to clear drainage channels ahead of the heaviest expected rainfall. Transit operators warned of service adjustments, and harbour authorities restricted vessel movements as a precaution.
Regional track: Guam, Northern Marianas, then Japan and China in Bavi’s path
Meteorological bulletins said Typhoon Bavi had already inflicted severe damage on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands while at super typhoon strength, before weakening slightly as it approached Taiwan. The storm is expected to cross northern and eastern Taiwan on Friday and Saturday, then continue toward islands in southern Japan before heading toward the Chinese mainland.
The projected track prompted coastal and maritime authorities across the region to issue navigational warnings and mobilise emergency responders. Officials in neighbouring countries stressed that forecast changes are possible and encouraged continuous monitoring of official weather updates.
Presidential warning and infrastructure monitoring in eastern Taiwan
President Lai Ching-te urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain on high alert, noting that the storm’s expansive wind range could deliver heavy rain and violent gusts despite a modest weakening. He reiterated government readiness to deploy emergency services and to coordinate with local authorities on evacuation and relief efforts.
Officials said two reservoir lakes in eastern mountain zones were being closely watched for spillover risk, and contingency plans were prepared for controlled releases and downstream evacuations if water levels rose rapidly. Infrastructure teams were placed on standby to respond to road blockages and power outages.
Typhoon Bavi poses a multi-pronged threat: destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and elevated coastal surges as it approaches Taiwan and moves north. Authorities in the Philippines and Taiwan have taken precautionary steps to protect lives, but residents are being asked to remain vigilant and to follow official instructions as conditions evolve.
