Typhoon Bavi Forces 2 Million Evacuations in Eastern China, Disrupts Transport

Typhoon Bavi made landfall on China's eastern coast on Monday evening, triggering a massive disaster response across multiple provinces. Nearly 2 million people in Zhejiang and surrounding areas were evacuated ahead of the storm's arrival. The typhoon brought fierce winds and torrential rain, causing significant damage and widespread transportation chaos.

In Zhejiang province, cities like Leqing experienced severe flooding, with roads submerged and over 1,300 trees uprooted. Mountainous regions reported landslides, blocking roads with debris. The typhoon's impact extended to major transportation hubs, with Shanghai and Hangzhou facing massive flight and train cancellations. Hangzhou's two main train stations suspended operations, and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport canceled 327 flights. Shanghai reported 684 flight cancellations and 1,620 train service adjustments.

Despite weakening after landfall, Bavi's extensive circulation continues to pose a threat. Meteorologists predict several more days of heavy rainfall in eastern and northern China, raising concerns about potential floods, mudslides, and urban waterlogging. Experts note that even as the wind subsides, the large-scale weather system can generate destructive conditions hundreds of kilometers away, with the subsequent heavy rains often posing the greatest risk.

Climate scientists also point to the influence of the developing El Niño phenomenon, which may steer typhoons towards China's coast. They caution that if typhoons intensify rapidly, local governments face compressed timelines for issuing warnings and executing evacuations, further complicating disaster preparedness.

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Strong typhoons, even after weakening upon landfall, can generate destructive weather hundreds of kilometers away due to their large-scale circulation. The real risk often comes from the subsequent heavy rainfall, not the moment of landfall.