Super Typhoon Bavi Bears Down on Taiwan, Fujian and Zhejiang

Super Typhoon Bavi, one of the most powerful storms of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season, is lashing Taiwan, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces with destructive winds and torrential rain as China’s Ministry of Emergency Management activates a Level III emergency response. The storm, which reached Category 5-equivalent intensity earlier this week, is forecast to make landfall near the Fujian-Zhejiang border on July 11.

A Rare Giant Typhoon

Bavi formed on July 2 and underwent rapid intensification, reaching super typhoon status by July 3. At its peak, the storm packed 1-minute sustained winds of 285 km/h (180 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 901 hPa, making it a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon. The storm maintained super typhoon strength for 108 consecutive hours, according to Global Times.

Satellite imagery shows Bavi as an exceptionally large and dangerous storm, with a cloud system spanning more than 1,300 km in diameter. Meteorologists at Weather China have described it as a “rare giant typhoon,” noting its highly symmetrical cloud structure, well-defined eye, and vigorous convection within its eyewall.

As of 2 p.m. on July 9, Bavi’s center was located approximately 1,030 km southeast of Keelung, Taiwan, moving northwest at 10-15 km/h, according to CGTN. The storm has weakened from super typhoon to strong typhoon status due to wind shear and eyewall replacement cycles, but remains an extremely dangerous system.

Emergency Response Escalated

China upgraded its national emergency response for flooding and typhoons from Level IV to Level III on July 9, reflecting the increasing threat posed by the approaching storm. The National Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters had already activated a Level IV response for Zhejiang and Fujian provinces on July 8.

To support preparedness efforts, the Office of the National Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, the Ministry of Emergency Management, and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration have allocated 50,000 disaster relief supplies — including folding beds, summer quilts, and family emergency kits — to Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, as reported by Xinhua News.

In Zhejiang, all 201 coastal water projects have been halted and 546 construction vessels moved to safe anchorages. Additionally, 53 ferry routes and 117 passenger vessels have been suspended due to strong winds, according to ECNS.

Taiwan Mobilizes Disaster Response

Taiwan has also completed extensive disaster preparedness measures. Premier Cho Jung-tai announced that 6,662 disaster response personnel, 4,497 rescue vehicles, 1,254 boats, and 24 helicopters are on standby, with 28,922 military troops placed on alert for potential disaster response operations, the Taipei Times reported.

Preparations have been completed in 173 locations considered at risk of becoming isolated during the storm, including stockpiling supplies, ensuring communications capabilities, and arranging evacuation shelters. President Lai Ching-te urged citizens via social media to prepare emergency supplies and posted a video demonstrating how to assemble a three-day survival grab bag.

Widespread Impact Expected

Bavi’s effects are expected to reach far beyond its projected landfall zone. The storm’s vast circulation will draw warm, moisture-rich air from the Pacific deep into inland China, creating conditions for intense downpours hundreds of kilometers from the typhoon itself.

Sun Qianqian, a meteorological analyst with China Weather Network, explained that the northward shift of the subtropical high will help steer moisture toward north and northeast China, creating favorable conditions for intense downpours far from the typhoon itself, as reported by Caixin Global.

Forecasters warn that over a dozen provinces could be affected, including Taiwan, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Anhui, Hubei, Henan, Shandong, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Liaoning, and Jilin. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region could see the strongest rainfall episode since the flood season began in July.

Compounding Disaster Risk

Bavi’s arrival comes just days after Typhoon Maysak ravaged southern China, causing severe flooding in Guangxi that killed six people. The remnants of Maysak triggered rare tornadoes in Hubei province on July 6-7, killing at least 11 people and injuring over 330. A dam burst in Guangxi further compounded the disaster, bringing total deaths from the preceding storms to 17.

The back-to-back nature of these typhoons highlights the challenge of sequential disaster response, with recovery efforts from the first storm potentially complicating preparations for the second. China had already allocated 100 million yuan ($13.8 million) for post-disaster recovery in Guangxi.

Forecast and Outlook

Bavi is expected to brush northern Taiwan on July 11 before making landfall between Fuqing in Fujian Province and Wenling in Zhejiang Province. The storm is forecast to remain at strong typhoon or typhoon strength by its second landfall on the mainland.

From Saturday through Monday, the rain belt is expected to expand westward and northward, affecting Hunan, Hubei, Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning, and Jilin provinces. Authorities said they will continue to monitor Bavi’s development and adjust the emergency response as needed, noting that the typhoon’s track after landfall remains uncertain.

Residents across eastern and central China are urged to monitor official forecasts, secure outdoor structures, and prepare for potential flooding, landslides, and power outages as this powerful storm system moves inland.