Bavi Storm (2026)

Typhoon Bavi is a tropical cyclone that formed in the Western Pacific Ocean in 2026 and reached super typhoon intensity, affecting Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Philippines, Taiwan, the southwestern islands of Japan, and the eastern and northern regions of the People's Republic of China. On 3 July 2026, it became the third Category 5 tropical cyclone recorded globally that year. At its widest point, Bavi reached approximately 1,000 kilometers in diameter, affecting an area comparable in size to France, and is considered one of the largest tropical cyclones observed in the Western Pacific in recent years. The typhoon made two landfalls in the Chinese cities of Yuhuan and Wenzhou in Zhejiang province on 11–12 July 2026, then weakened as it moved northward, causing floods, inundations and transportation disruptions across northern and northeastern China as of 13 July 2026.

Typhoon Bavi developed in early July 2026 over warm sea surface waters near Guam in the Pacific Ocean and rapidly entered a phase of rapid intensification. By 14:00 EDT on 3 July 2026, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reported that the storm’s maximum sustained winds had reached 260 kilometers per hour, making it the third Category 5 tropical cyclone of 2026. The system intensified by 120 kilometers per hour within 24 hours and by 160 kilometers per hour within 36 hours, exceeding the meteorological threshold for rapid intensification. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported at 21:00 JST on 3 July that the storm’s central pressure had dropped to 935 millibars with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour.

The rapid intensification of Bavi was influenced by low vertical wind shear of 5–10 knots, sea surface temperatures of 29–30 °C, and ocean heat content exceeding 110 kilojoules per square centimeter. On 5 July 2026, as the storm approached the Northern Mariana Islands, its maximum sustained winds increased to 287 kilometers per hour and its central pressure dropped to 910 millibars. At this time, the typhoon was observed to have a well-defined eye approximately 46 kilometers in diameter.

Meteorologist Jeff Masters assessed Bavi as one of the early-season super typhoons expected during the developing strong El Niño phase. During El Niño years, tropical cyclones tend to form farther east over the Pacific, remaining longer over warm ocean waters and thus increasing their likelihood of reaching Category 5 intensity. The JTWC’s 79-year observational records show a total of 317 super typhoons, a significant portion of which reached Category 5 strength.

According to the maximum potential intensity theory developed by Kerry Emanuel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Bavi could theoretically have reached wind speeds of 322 kilometers per hour and a central pressure of 880 millibars. However, before reaching this intensity, the typhoon entered an eyewall replacement cycle, which limited its further intensification.

Bavi became the third tropical cyclone of 2026 to reach Category 5 intensity. The other two systems that reached this level that year were Tropical Cyclone Horacio, which formed in the South Indian Ocean on 23 February 2026, and Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which developed near Guam on 12 April 2026 and made landfall on the Northern Mariana Islands on 14 April. Sinlaku caused the deaths of 17 people and approximately $1.5 billion in economic damage in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The eye of Super Typhoon Bavi passed over Rota Island, part of the Northern Mariana Islands, on 6 July 2026. The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) reported that the storm generated Category 5 hurricane-force winds exceeding 241 kilometers per hour and was moving northwest at approximately 14 kilometers per hour toward the Philippines. NWS urged residents of Rota to treat approaching winds as a tornado threat and to seek shelter in safe enclosed areas or storm shelters.

Local authorities on Rota Island reported severe damage, the full extent of which could not be determined due to communication infrastructure disruptions. Typhoon and flash flood warnings were issued for Guam, Tinian and Saipan, while tropical storm warnings and watch conditions were activated for other islands in the region. NWS forecasted up to 51 centimeters of rainfall in some areas. Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero urged residents to remain indoors or in safe shelters. The combined population of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands is approximately 210,000.

Satellite imagery released by NASA Earth Observatory showed that Bavi reached super typhoon intensity on 4 July 2026, with sea surface temperatures in the affected areas measuring approximately 30 °C. Across Guam, Rota and Saipan, power poles and transmission lines were downed, roads were submerged and blocked by debris, and various structures, including a water distribution facility on Rota, sustained damage. The U.S. Coast Guard conducted cleanup operations to remove debris from harbor areas and restore maritime traffic to normal conditions. This damage marked the second major typhoon disaster in the region following Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April 2026.

As Bavi moved westward across the Pacific Ocean, it gradually weakened. On 8 July 2026, while still over the Philippine Sea as a powerful typhoon, the U.S. National Weather Service reported maximum sustained winds of 250 kilometers per hour. Forecasts indicated that the typhoon’s path would shift northwest toward Taiwan, Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and the Chinese mainland, with continued weakening expected in the coming days.

Assessments issued on 9 July 2026 indicated that Bavi’s maximum sustained winds had decreased to 162 kilometers per hour and wind gusts had dropped to approximately 198 kilometers per hour. Central Weather Administration (CWA) meteorologist Wang Ping-hsiang stated that deteriorating environmental conditions were expected to cause continued weakening of the typhoon in the coming days.

The enhanced southwest monsoon triggered by Typhoon Bavi caused heavy rainfall and landslides across the Philippines. On 9 July 2026, a landslide in Sarangani province on Mindanao Island killed 10 people; another landslide on the same day resulted in at least five deaths and six people missing. Initial reports thus indicated at least 15 fatalities linked to the storm.

Subsequent updates reported that the death toll had risen to 18 due to landslides and other disasters caused by heavy rainfall. Most of the victims were located on Mindanao Island. Approximately 11,000 people evacuated their homes, numerous ports were temporarily closed, and 313 vessels were moved to safe areas.

Although Bavi did not make direct landfall on Taiwan, it passed north of the island, generating strong winds, heavy rainfall and high waves. Taiwanese authorities warned that up to one meter of rainfall could occur in mountainous areas north of Taipei, and the Ministry of National Defense prepared approximately 29,000 military personnel for disaster response. CWA meteorologist Jason Chang stated that Bavi was the largest typhoon to affect Taiwan since 1987 in terms of spatial extent. Taoyuan International Airport announced the cancellation of all flights operated by Taiwanese airlines for 11 July.

President Lai Ching-te urged residents in at-risk areas to remain on high alert. Over 20,000 military personnel, supported by machinery and equipment, were deployed for emergency response. More than 1,000 people were evacuated, primarily from Hualien County, and two dams at risk of flooding were closely monitored. The strongest impacts of the typhoon were expected in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Yilan, with the heaviest rainfall anticipated in the mountainous central and northern regions of the island.

Typhoon conditions led to the declaration of typhoon holidays in nearly all cities and counties across Taiwan, with most schools and public institutions closed. The North–South High-Speed Rail Line continued service with reduced frequencies. Wind gusts of approximately 100 kilometers per hour in Taipei’s Beitou district caused trees to fall and river levels to rise. Waves reaching up to 10 meters were recorded along the northern coast, with localized extreme rainfall events observed.

The Taiwan Fire Department gradually updated injury figures; initial reports listed 87 injured, later revised to 113, then to 134. Most injuries resulted from falls from motorcycles or bicycles, slips and falls, or impacts from flying debris, with no fatalities reported. Air travel was significantly disrupted; initially 920 international and 282 domestic flights were canceled, with later updates adding 137 international and 62 domestic flight cancellations. Bavi left approximately 80 centimeters of rainfall in Miaoli County and caused power outages in over 170,000 households.

Bavi generated heavy rainfall, strong winds and high waves across Japan’s southwestern Sakishima Islands, particularly around Okinawa. At least five people were injured and thousands of households lost power. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned residents in Okinawa to be cautious of strong winds, landslides, flooding and storm surges. Power outages were most severe on Miyako Island and its surroundings.

Chinese authorities undertook extensive preparations before Typhoon Bavi reached the eastern coast. Fishing vessels were brought into port, residents collected sandbags, and farmers accelerated harvests. The China National Meteorological Centre announced that the typhoon, expected to reach wind speeds of approximately 200 kilometers per hour and a maximum diameter of about 1,000 kilometers, was forecast to make landfall in Fujian province.

However, Bavi deviated north of its predicted path, making its first landfall at 23:20 on 11 July 2026 in Yuhuan County, part of Taizhou City in Zhejiang province, with sustained winds of 144 kilometers per hour. This wind speed corresponds to Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Shortly afterward, the typhoon made a second landfall near Yueqing, attached to Wenzhou City, with wind speeds of 137 kilometers per hour. By the morning of 13 July, the China National Meteorological Centre reported that the system had weakened to a severe tropical storm.

Bavi was assessed as the strongest typhoon to affect mainland China in 2026. According to China Daily, Bavi was recorded as the ninth typhoon of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season and, alongside Typhoon Maysak which affected Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region that same week, was one of two major tropical systems to impact China within a short interval.

Significant damage occurred in Yueqing City during landfall. More than 1,300 trees were downed across the city, over 700 of which were uprooted. In some areas, water levels rose to half the height of vehicle tires, and emergency teams used excavators and chainsaws to clear submerged roads. Landslides in the mountainous areas north of the city blocked roads with rock debris, and overflowing rivers submerged surrounding areas.

In Kanmen, a fishing town under Yuhuan’s jurisdiction, numerous structures were damaged by the typhoon. Commercial and residential properties along the coast suffered roof, window and facade damage, while rainwater flooded many buildings. Local residents described the typhoon as one of the most powerful systems to affect the region.

Wenling City in Zhejiang province entered the typhoon’s Category 10 wind zone, with waves exceeding 10 meters observed along the coast, prompting the evacuation of all fishermen for safety. As Bavi moved inland and weakened, the system was downgraded to tropical storm status by the afternoon of 13 July.

In anticipation of Super Typhoon Bavi, Chinese authorities conducted large-scale evacuations in areas along its projected path. According to state media, more than 1.7 million people in Zhejiang province, over 100,000 in Fujian province, and approximately 34,000 in Shanghai were evacuated as a precaution. During the same period, about 100,000 people in Beijing in northern China were relocated to safe zones, and controlled water releases from the Miyun Reservoir were increased to mitigate potential flooding. Additionally, over 130,000 people in Fujian province were reported to have left their homes.

As the storm advanced, the number of evacuated individuals increased, with over 2.8 million people relocated nationwide. More than 2.2 million of these evacuations occurred in Zhejiang province. The Zhejiang Emergency Management Department reported that over 1.7 million people had been evacuated by Saturday morning, with later official statements confirming the number exceeded 1.8 million. Schools, workplaces and outdoor events were temporarily suspended across the province, and approximately 400 flights and dozens of train services were canceled.

As part of the evacuation efforts, over 19,000 emergency shelters with capacity for more than 1.9 million people and equipped with 72-hour basic supplies were opened in Zhejiang province. The central government dispatched 70,000 relief items to Zhejiang, Tianjin and Anhui provinces. The National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan (approximately $14.75 million USD) to support emergency rescue and reconstruction efforts in Zhejiang, with funds designated primarily for repairing public infrastructure including roads, water protection facilities, schools and hospitals.

The National Marine Forecasting Center issued the highest level of its four-tier warning system, the red alert, for high waves, and a amber alert for storm and tide surges. Official broadcaster CCTV reported wave heights reaching 8 meters along Fujian’s coast. The typhoon caused power outages in 234,481 households.

As the typhoon moved northward, warning levels were gradually lowered in some areas. The Fujian Meteorological Observatory downgraded typhoon and heavy rain warnings to the lowest level, Level IV, while the provincial government concluded flood response preparations and resumed public services in the provincial capital Fuzhou. Zhejiang province also lowered its emergency response level; metro services in major cities such as Hangzhou, Ningbo and Shaoxing resumed normal operations.

According to the China National Meteorological Centre, Bavi was located over Chuzhou City in Anhui province at 21:00 on 12 July, with maximum sustained winds reduced to 83 kilometers per hour. The center forecast that the storm would continue weakening as it moved northwest, turn northeast over eastern Anhui on Monday, and reach the North Yellow Sea over the Shandong Peninsula by Tuesday, transitioning into an extratropical cyclone. The storm was moving northward at approximately 15 kilometers per hour.

Meteorological authorities warned that despite decreasing wind speeds, Bavi’s broad circulation and high moisture content would continue to produce heavy rainfall and strong winds. Meteorologist Sun Qianqian of the Weather China platform under the China Meteorological Administration assessed Bavi as a powerful system whose effects would persist for an extended period, spread over a wide area and cause localized extreme weather events. Sun emphasized that “landfall does not mean the threat has passed,” noting that the typhoon’s internal circulation and long-range moisture transport would continue to bring heavy downpours and strong winds across many regions of the country.

The Ministry of Water Resources raised the flood warning to the third-highest level, the yellow alert, within China’s four-tier warning system on 12 July. The ministry warned that heavy rainfall could lead to river flooding, mountain torrents and urban inundations. The National Meteorological Centre maintained the second-highest orange alert for heavy rainfall. Additionally, the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration jointly issued the highest-level red mountain torrent alert for certain areas in northeastern Hebei and southern Anhui, effective until Tuesday.

Rainfall from Bavi reached record levels in many areas. A total of 246 national meteorological stations across China recorded extreme downpours. At a meteorological station in Yueqing City, Zhejiang province, 435 millimeters of rainfall were measured within 24 hours, surpassing the previous local record of 286.5 millimeters set in 2024.

The typhoon’s impacts were also felt in infrastructure and tourist areas. Around Hangzhou’s West Lake, crews cleared 16 fallen trees and 232 broken or dried branches. The management of the Yuetan Reservoir in Huangshan City, Anhui province, activated its emergency plan before the typhoon, lowering the reservoir’s water level in a controlled manner to reduce flood risk and maintaining continuous monitoring. Tourist areas in Huangshan City, including Huangshan Mountain, were temporarily closed, and special reinforcement efforts were undertaken to protect historic trees such as the approximately 1,000-year-old “Guest-Greeting Pine.”

Super Typhoon Bavi caused major disruptions to transportation infrastructure along China’s eastern coast. In Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, two major train stations suspended all services, and 327 flights were canceled at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. In Shanghai, a total of 1,620 train services and 684 flights were canceled. Additionally, 653 flights were forecast to be canceled on Sunday, with 458 originating from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and 195 from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.

As the typhoon weakened and moved inland, transportation services began to gradually resume on 12 July. High-speed rail lines connecting Beijing and Hong Kong, as well as key eastern Chinese transport hubs including Shanghai, Nanjing and Hangzhou, resumed train services in the afternoon. Simultaneously, flights resumed at Shanghai’s two international airports, and air traffic began returning to normal at Hangzhou, Wenzhou and Hefei airports. In contrast, Wuhu Xuanzhou Airport in Anhui province, located near the typhoon’s center on Sunday afternoon, canceled all but one flight. Transit services at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport also resumed at full capacity.

Recovery in road transport also began; regular bus, taxi and ride-hailing services were largely restored in Shanghai and Hangzhou from Sunday afternoon. Limited travel restrictions remained in effect on only a few routes due to adverse weather conditions.

However, meteorological authorities noted that rainfall risks persisted despite the typhoon’s weakening. The National Meteorological Centre warned that heavy showers and localized intense rainfall would continue in some regions, with up to 250–350 millimeters of rainfall expected in Anhui province within 24 hours. The Ministry of Water Resources issued the lowest level, Level IV, of its four-tier flood prevention alert for Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi and Shandong provinces.

As Bavi moved northward, severe flood inundations occurred in Hebei and Liaoning provinces. In Kuancheng County, Hebei, floodwaters reached over 2 meters in some areas. According to local official media, vehicles collided on submerged roads and were swept away by strong currents. In Kuancheng, a city of approximately 240,000 people along the Luan River, around 1,800 villagers were stranded, and authorities prioritized evacuation and temporary shelter operations. In Liaoning province, the highest-level red alert was issued due to sudden flood risks.

The Hebei provincial government requested full implementation of measures during the red rainfall alert, including closure of workplaces, suspension of activities and cancellation of public gatherings. Social media videos showed large portions of roads submerged in Shenyang, Liaoning, with most parked vehicles buried under water and some people navigating flooded streets by swimming or using surfboards. Other footage showed police units rescuing vehicles trapped in floodwaters. Numerous train services were suspended in Shenyang, and China Railway reported that over 30 railway sections were adversely affected.

Due to severe weather conditions, schools were temporarily closed across many regions of northeastern China, particularly in Jilin province. The Central Meteorological Observatory warned of thunderstorms with wind speeds of Force 8 or higher and hail in some areas of northeastern China. Warnings were issued for Jiangsu province’s central and northern regions regarding wind gusts of Force 10 or higher, gusts exceeding Force 11, and the possibility of tornadoes. Wind speeds of Force 11 were estimated to reach approximately 117 kilometers per hour.

Bavi retained its structure largely intact even 13 days after forming in the Pacific Ocean and continued to exert its effects after making landfall in eastern China. Affecting an area roughly the size of France, the system was among the longest-lasting tropical cyclones in the Asia-Pacific region in 2026. Chinese meteorologists attributed its extraordinary resilience largely to its ability to maintain a warm-core structure, allowing Bavi to preserve much of its moisture as it moved toward the Korean Peninsula.

According to data from the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources, Bavi caused 46 rivers across the country to exceed flood warning levels.

On 13 July, Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province, issued a red flood alert due to Tropical Storm Bavi and elevated its flood control emergency response to the highest level. The city’s meteorological unit forecast that rainfall from Bavi would persist until Tuesday, with total precipitation ranging between 60 and 160 millimeters. Following heavy rainfall that began at 20:00 on Sunday, businesses, schools and commercial activities were temporarily suspended in five county-level cities across Liaoning to mitigate flood risks.

Heavy rainfall caused roads to be submerged in many parts of Shenyang, and entrances to several metro stations were temporarily closed for safety. Water levels rose significantly on the Liaohe, Hunhe and Taizi rivers. As of 06:00 on 13 July, flood control emergency responses were activated in 13 cities in Liaoning, with 171,412 people evacuated, the majority from Fushun City. According to measurements from the Shenyang Hydrology Station, the Hunhe River reached a level of 37.99 meters.

China Railway Shenyang Group canceled or rescheduled numerous train services between 20:00 on Sunday and 10:00 on Monday for safety reasons. Passengers were advised to consult station announcements and the official 12306 ticket platform for updates; tickets for canceled services were eligible for free refunds within 30 days of the original travel date.

In neighboring Jilin province, heavy rainfall led to the closure of schools in many cities and widespread restrictions on transportation services. High-speed train services at Jilin City’s train station were scheduled to resume on Thursday, with other train services to follow gradually in subsequent days.

Meanwhile, Gansu province in northwestern China prepared for a new wave of heavy rainfall expected between Monday afternoon and Tuesday. Local meteorological authorities forecast rainfall of 60 to 100 millimeters around Lanzhou and Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture. Officials warned of increased risks of flash floods, geological hazards and urban inundations, issuing a blue flood risk alert and a yellow geological hazard warning. China’s four-tier color-coded warning system ranks red as the highest, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

In Chengde City, Hebei province, located approximately three hours north of Beijing, numerous vehicles were swept away by floodwaters. Heavy rainfall damaged nine roads connecting villages, cutting off access to many settlements and leaving residents stranded until Sunday night. The region was still recovering from damage caused by hail and downpours in June.

In Anhui province, over 61,000 people were evacuated in response to flood and inundation risks. Authorities temporarily closed parks and conducted controlled water releases from reservoirs to reduce flood risks. Hefei Railway Station, the province’s largest high-speed rail hub, suspended all high-speed train services except those on the Hefei–Xi’an route.

In Shenyang, Liaoning province, schools and 94 tourist sites were temporarily closed under flood precautions, and some bus routes and metro stations were taken out of service. Over 3,500 personnel from 12 government agencies were deployed for rescue and flood relief operations, while other public employees were encouraged to work remotely for safety.

The National Meteorological Centre issued a blue typhoon alert, the lowest level of its four-tier warning system, on the morning of 13 July. The center stated that Bavi would continue moving north at 10 to 15 kilometers per hour, turn northeastward on Tuesday to reach the Yellow Sea via Shandong, and gradually weaken during this process.

As Bavi approached China, the southern regions of the country were still recovering from the destruction caused by Typhoon Maysak, which struck the same week. Maysak resulted in at least 39 fatalities and nine people reported missing. Its remnants triggered at least two land-based tornadoes and widespread flooding in Hubei province.

In Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, one of the hardest-hit areas, recovery efforts began as floodwaters receded. Official media footage showed residents being rescued from second-story windows, retrieving belongings from homes, and receiving essential supplies via unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to inaccessible areas.

The flood disaster also affected agriculture and wildlife. Images published by Beijing News showed numerous pigs drowned after being submerged for extended periods in a farm in Binyang County. According to the Global Times, three lions died in the Guigang Zoo due to flooding, and approximately 100 animals including zebras, porcupines, parrots and raccoons went missing.

In a village near Guigang, a team previously training for dragon boat races repurposed their 12-meter-long boats for rescue operations after the races were canceled. The team rescued over 200 people, including a 21-day-old infant. Volunteer drone operators from Guangxi joined rescue efforts, delivering aid supplies by air. Authorities confirmed that 39 people died and nine remained missing due to Maysak’s floods.

After completion of rescue and relief operations, the People’s Liberation Army, armed police units, fire brigades and other search and rescue personnel withdrew from the Guigang area, where local residents held farewell ceremonies for the teams.