Typhoon Bavi lashes Japan’s southern islands, Taiwan evacuates thousands

Typhoon Bavi battered Japan's southern Sakishima island chain on Saturday, unleashing torrential rain and violent winds. The storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 144 kph (90 mph) near its center, prompted warnings of gusts up to 198 kph.

On Ishigaki Island in Okinawa prefecture, debris flew across deserted streets as boats rocked in a harbor. Airlines canceled 345 flights, and more than 24,000 households in Okinawa lost power. Ferry services were also suspended.

Meanwhile, in Taiwan, authorities evacuated over 14,000 people, primarily from mountainous regions, as a precautionary measure against potential floods and landslides. Although Bavi was not expected to make landfall, forecasts predicted nearly a meter of rain in some areas. The island canceled 920 international and 280 domestic flights, and most cities declared a typhoon holiday.

Bavi is expected to reach the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou, home to 10 million people, by early Sunday. Residents in Wenzhou were preparing for the storm, though some expressed confidence in the government's safety measures.

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It’s OK, it’s not that serious. It’s just a ⁠little bit more wind.