Typhoon Bavi makes landfall in eastern China as more than 1 million are evacuated

Typhoon Bavi made landfall in China's eastern Zhejiang province late Saturday night, prompting state media to report its expected gradual weakening. The storm had previously unleashed strong winds and heavy rain across Japan's southern islands and Taiwan.

This marks the second typhoon to impact China within a little over a week, following Typhoon Maysak, which made landfall in southern China on July 3. In preparation for Bavi's arrival, Chinese authorities undertook extensive evacuation efforts, relocating more than 1.7 million people on Saturday and issuing high alerts. The National Meteorological Center issued an orange typhoon alert, the second-highest level, leading to the suspension of numerous schools and ferry services. Hundreds of flights were canceled, and some high-speed rail services were halted.

Authorities in Zhejiang had evacuated over 1.7 million people by Saturday morning, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Shanghai relocated approximately 34,000 residents from high-risk areas, while cities in Fujian province, such as Ningde, moved over 3,700 people from onshore areas. Over 17,000 emergency rescue workers were placed on standby in Fujian. The central government allocated 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) in natural disaster relief funds to support Zhejiang and Fujian provinces for typhoon prevention and emergency response efforts.

Before reaching China, Typhoon Bavi intensified monsoon rains in the Philippines, contributing to deadly landslides. At least 17 people were killed in the southern Philippines, primarily due to landslides triggered by the intensified rains. In one incident in Malapatan, Sarangani province, a landslide before dawn Friday killed at least 10 villagers, with three others missing. Another landslide in Lanao del Sur province killed five people, leaving six missing. Two individuals drowned in floodwaters earlier in the week in Bukidnon province.