Typhoon Bavi is set to hit East Asia, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. Thousands of soldiers are on standby for relief efforts.

Taiwan has warned that Typhoon Bavi could bring up to 1m of rainfall, with 29,000 soldiers on standby for relief efforts. The storm is expected to be the largest to hit the island since 1987.

Preparations Underway

Farmers are rushing to harvest or protect their crops, while fishermen are securing their vessels. Thousands of sandbags have been distributed to residents and shop-owners in flood-prone areas. A 60-year-old fisherman, Chen Ming-hui, warned that the storm could be terrifying despite the current calm weather.

Regional Impact

China has warned of a significant impact from the typhoon, which could move northward after hitting the south-eastern Fujian province. The northern provinces, which have less experience dealing with typhoons, have been advised to strengthen preparations. Japan is also on high alert, with residents on the remote Sakishima Islands taking precautions such as taping up windows and draping windproof nets across their homes and shops.

Flight Disruptions

Various airlines have grounded flights in the region, including Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Thai Airways, and Malaysia Airlines. Japan Airlines has axed over 100 flights, affecting nearly 20,000 passengers, while All Nippon Airways has cancelled over 160 flights, also affecting around 20,000 people.

Recent Devastation

Parts of southern China are still reeling from the devastation brought by Typhoon Maysak earlier this week. Maysak left at least 39 people dead, with over 130,000 evacuated, mostly in the Guangxi region. The typhoon also resulted in significant agriculture loss and killed large swathes of livestock.