Typhoon Bavi: Taiwan Braces as Storm with Largest Radius in 30 Years Threatens Coastal Cities; Red Alert Issued in China
Taipei/Hangzhou, July 10 (Reuters/Bloomberg) – Typhoon Bavi is approaching Taiwan with a 380-kilometer radius of gale-force winds. This is the largest such radius in 30 years. Twelve counties and cities in Taiwan have suspended work and classes. Simultaneously, China has issued a red alert for the storm’s imminent approach to Zhejiang and Fujian.
Bavi’s intensity has weakened from a super typhoon to a strong typhoon. However, a shift in its projected path now poses a direct threat to mainland China.
Taiwan: Largest Gale Radius in Three Decades
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration issued a sea and land warning early Friday. The storm’s seven-level wind radius is 380 km. “The northeastern coast faces destructive winds,” forecaster Lin Po-tung said.
The following jurisdictions have announced full-day or half-day closures for Friday:
* Taipei
* Keelung
* Taoyuan
* Taichung
Hualien County has initiated precautionary evacuations due to the threat of a dammed lake.
Airlines have canceled numerous flights. Limited land transportation services remain operational. Supermarkets report panic buying of dry food and sandbags. Taipei’s Fire Department advises residents to stock three days’ worth of supplies.
China: Path Shift Triggers Red Alert
Bavi is now expected to bypass Taiwan and make landfall between Fuqing, Fujian, and Wenling, Zhejiang, on Saturday evening. The National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center has issued a red wave warning. Waves in the southern East China Sea could reach 9 to 14 meters.
Zhejiang has raised its emergency response to Level II. Hangzhou’s West Lake scenic area, including its museums and parks, has closed. Storm surge warnings are in effect from Jiangsu to Fujian. A surge of up to 320 cm is forecast for Wenzhou.
Key Data: Typhoon Bavi Parameters
| Parameter | Current Status | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Gale Wind Radius (7-level) | 380 km | Largest in 30 years |
| Maximum Sustained Wind | 45 m/s (14 bft) | Weakening from super typhoon |
| Landfall Location (Forecast) | Fujian to Zhejiang coast | Changed from Taiwan passage |
| Emergency Status (Taiwan) | 12 cities/counties closed | Precautionary evacuations |
| Emergency Status (China) | Red Wave Warning; Level II Response | West Lake closed |
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What makes Typhoon Bavi’s storm radius historically significant?
- A: Bavi’s gale-force wind radius of 380 km is the largest recorded in Taiwan in 30 years, meaning the storm’s impact zone is exceptionally wide and destructive.
- Q: Why did 12 cities in Taiwan suspend work and classes?
- A: Authorities issued closures to ensure public safety amid warnings of destructive winds, potential flooding, and landslides triggered by Bavi’s massive storm radius.
- Q: How does the path shift toward mainland China affect the threat level?
- A: Bavi is now projected to bypass Taiwan and strike between Fuqing, Fujian, and Wenling, Zhejiang, prompting China to issue a red alert for landfall preparations.
- Q: What emergency measures are being taken in Taiwan?
- A: Hualien County began precautionary evacuations due to dammed lake risks, airlines canceled flights, and residents engaged in panic buying of dry food and sandbags.
Extended Reading
For live tracking, search “Typhoon Bavi 2026 latest path” on your preferred weather service. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration and China’s National Meteorological Center are primary sources for official advisories.