Typhoon Bavi: Over 1.7 million evacuated in China's Zhejiang

Dead and injured reported in the Philippines and Taiwan. No all-clear yet: "Bavi" is expected to make landfall on mainland China on Sunday night.

July 11, 2026 — 14:52

By Saturday morning, authorities in Taiwan reported 87 injuries; on Sunday night, "Bavi" was expected to hit China. Photo: Chiang Ying-ying/AP/dpa

ap/kna | Ahead of Typhoon "Bavi"'s arrival, more than 1.7 million people in China's Zhejiang province were forced to leave their homes. Another 34,000 people were evacuated in Shanghai, according to the state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua on Saturday. Previously, thousands had already been moved from coastal areas in southeastern China, such as the city of Ningde, to safer locations.

With maximum sustained wind speeds of 144 kilometers per hour, "Bavi" was expected to pass by Taiwan on Saturday, according to the Taiwanese weather authority. Its outer bands brought strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan and southern Chinese islands. Forecasts indicate the typhoon will continue moving toward Zhejiang in eastern China and make landfall on mainland China on Sunday night.

Earlier, at least 17 people died in the southern Philippines, the local civil protection agency announced. Most were killed in landslides triggered by seasonal monsoon rains, which were intensified by the typhoon before it moved toward Taiwan.

China, Taiwan, and Japan Affected

In Japan, the southwestern prefecture of Okinawa was primarily affected. Authorities issued urgent warnings about strong winds, high waves, storm surges, landslides, and flooding.

From Japan, the storm moved to Taiwan, where over 25,000 households were without electricity on Saturday after "Bavi" damaged numerous power lines. Operations of 116 ferries across the island nation were suspended, and more than 1,100 flights were canceled. Authorities also reported 36 injuries.

China's National Meteorological Center issued an orange-level typhoon warning—the second-highest level in a four-tier warning system—prompting many schools to close and ferry services to be suspended. Hundreds of flights were canceled, and some high-speed rail connections were halted. According to state broadcaster CCTV, the center also issued its first red severe weather warning for the year on Saturday.

By 8 a.m. Saturday, Taiwanese authorities reported at least 87 injuries related to the typhoon. Some victims reportedly suffered injuries while riding motorcycles in rainy and windy conditions on slippery roads.

Additionally, more than 14,200 people were evacuated across the entire island, including from Hualien County in the east and the central city of Taichung. School operations were suspended in many parts of Taiwan on Saturday.