China steps up typhoon preparations, cancels flights as Bavi nears coast

Authorities across eastern China are escalating emergency measures and canceling numerous flights as Typhoon Bavi, the season's ninth storm, has intensified and is moving rapidly toward the coast. The National Meteorological Centre (NMC) reported that Bavi regained strength overnight, reaching severe typhoon status. It is expected to make landfall early Sunday between Taizhou in Zhejiang province and Fuding in Fujian province. The storm is forecast to carry winds of up to 45 meters per second (148 feet per second).

The NMC's Saturday morning bulletin indicated the typhoon's center was approximately 540 km from the Zhejiang-Fujian border. Moving northwest at speeds up to 35 km per hour, Bavi is anticipated to maintain its intensity until landfall before turning north-northwest and gradually weakening over inland areas. Emergency response teams are already active in the affected regions. These include firefighters prepared for potential damage and crews ready to repair power grids. The East China Sea Rescue Bureau has placed vessels and personnel on standby. Additionally, Fujian and Taizhou have activated thousands of local volunteers who are on 24-hour alert to address the typhoon's impact.