Typhoon Bavi threatens Japan’s southwestern islands; 10 dead in Philippines

ISHIGAKI: A powerful Typhoon Bavi on Friday approached Japan’s southwestern remote island chain, prompting authorities to issue warnings for violent winds, torrential rain, landslides, and flooding across the region.

The weather system, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 162 kilometres per hour (100 mph), is expected to pass very close to the Sakishima Islands near Taiwan early Saturday morning.

Local residents on Ishigaki Island have commenced storm preparations, including taping windows and securing windproof nets across residential and commercial buildings.

In the Philippines, heavy rains from a southwest monsoon system enhanced by the typhoon triggered a landslide on the southern island of Mindanao, leaving 10 people dead.

Widespread disruptions and closures

The approaching storm has caused significant disruptions to regional travel and infrastructure. Japan Airlines cancelled over 100 flights scheduled for Friday and Saturday, affecting nearly 20,000 passengers, while All Nippon Airways cancelled more than 160 flights through Sunday. Power outages have already hit nearly 900 buildings in Okinawa Prefecture.

On Ishigaki, a popular tourist destination, public beaches, coastal parks, and the ferry terminal were closed as residents stocked up on essential supplies. Local transport links have been suspended, forcing tourists to extend their stays on the island.

Taiwan and China brace for impact

In neighbouring Taiwan, financial markets, schools, and offices in northern and eastern regions were closed. Authorities evacuated over 2,000 people from the mountainous eastern coast and placed nearly 29,000 military personnel on standby for relief operations.

Although downgraded to a moderate typhoon, Bavi is forecast to dump up to one metre of rain on Taiwan. Taiwan’s airlines have cancelled all Saturday flights from Taoyuan International Airport, while Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways suspended weekend flights to Taiwan and several eastern Chinese cities.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) also delayed the release of its June sales data from Friday to Monday.

Typhoon Bavi is forecast to move past Taiwan and make landfall around the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou late Saturday or early Sunday, where local fishermen have already hauled their boats ashore in preparation.