Typhoon Bavi Threatens East Asia, Landslides Kill 15 in Philippines

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:33:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A 1,000‑km wide Typhoon Bavi may bring up to a meter of rain to Taiwan, China and Japan while it triggers deadly landslides in Mindanao, Philippines.

Typhoon Bavi, one of the largest storms in East Asia this year, is moving across the Pacific toward Taiwan, the southern Chinese coast and remote Japanese islands. It is expected to dump up to one meter of rain, prompting the evacuation of thousands in China and the grounding of flights in Japan and Taiwan. The storm has already caused at least 15 deaths from landslides in Mindanao, while earlier in the week Typhoon Maysak left 39 dead and widespread damage in southern China. Authorities in the region are on high alert, with military and emergency services on standby to manage potential double landfalls and mitigate flooding.

Typhoon Bavi Threatens East Asia

A destructive typhoon, named Bavi, is sweeping across the Pacific Ocean with a diameter of almost 1,000 kilometres – roughly the width of France. The storm is heading toward Taiwan, southeastern China and a chain of remote Japanese islands.

In the southern Philippines, the typhoon’s strong winds and heavy rains have triggered landslides that have buried families overnight, leaving at least 15 confirmed dead. Rescue teams continue to search for missing people in Mindanao.

Officials in Taiwan warn that Bavi could bring up to 1 metre (39 inches) of rainfall. Around 29,000 soldiers have been put on standby to assist with relief efforts. The Central Weather Administration notes that this is the largest storm by size to hit the island since 1987.

Massive flight cancellations have been announced across the region: Japanese carriers have grounded flights for the weekend, while airlines such as Thai Airways and Malaysia Airlines have suspended routes to and from Taipei. Schools in Taiwan and parts of China are closed in anticipation of severe weather.

Chinese officials have warned that Bavi’s enormous size and powerful winds could force the storm to hit the southeastern Fujian province twice, potentially affecting inland provinces like Jiangsu and Anhui. Officials are urging residents in flood‑prone areas to strengthen defenses with sandbags and other protective measures.

The region is still recovering from another recent disaster – Typhoon Maysak – which left 39 people dead, devastated crops, destroyed livestock and even produced two rare tornadoes in central China. The current storm compounds the stress on emergency services and government resources.

Residents observe huge waves brought by Typhoon Bavi in Hualien city, Taiwan

Key Takeaway: Residents across East Asia face a dual threat – a possible double landfall in China and the risk of deadly landslides as Bavi moves in. Preparedness measures and sustained evacuation efforts are critical to minimize loss of life and property.