Biggest typhoon in years sweeps towards Taiwan, threatening destructive winds

Typhoon Bavi, the most powerful storm to approach Taiwan in years, is poised to unleash "destructive" winds across the island. Forecasters warn of "relatively destructive" winds capable of causing damage in northern areas, including the port city of Keelung and Yilan county. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) stated that Bavi is the largest typhoon to hit Taiwan since 1995, with a gale-force wind radius of 380 kilometers.

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Relatively destructive winds are likely to "cause damage"

Jason Cheng, a CWA forecaster, advised vigilance even in areas away from the typhoon's center. Most ferry services to outer islands have been suspended, and the coast guard urged people to stay clear of the coast due to four-to-six-meter waves. Fishing boat owner Tung Wan-tsai expressed concern, calling Bavi "too big" and a "northwest typhoon," which he described as the worst-case scenario.

Fishing boat captain Chang Ting-hsin, 53, returned to port weeks ahead of schedule, deeming it "too dangerous" to remain at sea. "If you're even a day late getting back... you won't even have time to run," he said.

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It's too big. Even if it doesn't make direct landfall, its radius of gale-force winds is simply too massive. Especially with this trajectory, it is bound to become a 'northwest typhoon', which is the worst-case scenario.

Meanwhile, Japan's remote southwestern islands are preparing for the storm, with schools and supermarkets closing. Pineapple farmers have harvested early, and fishermen have secured their boats. Dozens of flights have been canceled. Bavi is expected to make landfall in eastern China over the weekend, following a week of extreme weather that has already caused 17 deaths and widespread flooding in China. The article notes that oceans experienced their hottest June on record, potentially intensifying future storms.

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You absolutely have to come back. If you don't return, it's just too dangerous. If you're even a day late getting back, and you're not clear on the typhoon's movement, if it moves fast, you won't even have time to run.