More than 260,000 people evacuated as Typhoon Bavi brings severe floods to mainland China

Typhoon Bavi, the most powerful storm to hit China this year and the longest-lasting tropical cyclone in the region, has caused widespread flooding and forced the evacuation of over 260,000 people in northeastern Liaoning province. The storm made landfall on Saturday night and continues to bring intense rainfall.

Authorities have warned that heavy rain will persist through Tuesday, with extreme downpours expected as Bavi draws vast amounts of tropical moisture northward into northern China. Videos circulating on social media show dramatic scenes, including a lighthouse severed from its power line drifting through floodwaters in Shenyang, the provincial capital.

In response to the severe weather, all schools and training institutions in affected areas have been ordered to suspend classes. Transport services in northeastern cities like Shenyang and Jilin have also been significantly disrupted. Bavi, which formed in the Pacific Ocean 13 days ago and covers an area the size of France, has maintained its structure remarkably well, even after landfall.

Chinese meteorologists attribute Bavi's longevity to its unusually well-preserved warm core, which allows it to retain moisture as it churns north towards the Korean peninsula. As the tropical storm slows, it is expected to release its stored moisture, leading to even more intense rainfall.