ISHIGAKI: Powerful Typhoon Bavi approached Japan’s southwestern remote island chain on Friday, prompting authorities to issue warnings over destructive winds, torrential rain, landslides and flooding across the region.
The typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 162 kilometres per hour (100 mph), is forecast to pass very close to the Sakishima Islands near Taiwan early on Saturday.
Residents on Ishigaki Island stepped up storm preparations by securing windows with tape and installing windproof nets around homes and commercial buildings.
In the Philippines, heavy rainfall from a southwest monsoon strengthened by the typhoon triggered a landslide on the southern island of Mindanao, killing at least 10 people.
The approaching storm has caused widespread disruption to air travel and public services across the region.
Japan Airlines cancelled more than 100 flights scheduled for Friday and Saturday, affecting nearly 20,000 passengers, while All Nippon Airways cancelled more than 160 flights through Sunday. Nearly 900 buildings in Okinawa Prefecture have already lost electricity.
On Ishigaki Island, authorities closed public beaches, coastal parks and the ferry terminal as residents stocked up on essential supplies. Suspension of transport services also forced many tourists to extend their stay.
In neighbouring Taiwan, authorities shut financial markets, schools and government offices in the northern and eastern parts of the island.
More than 2,000 people were evacuated from mountainous areas along the eastern coast, while nearly 29,000 military personnel were placed on standby for disaster relief operations.
Although downgraded to a moderate typhoon, Bavi is expected to bring up to one metre of rainfall to parts of Taiwan.
Taiwan’s airlines cancelled all Saturday departures from Taoyuan International Airport, while Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways suspended weekend flights to Taiwan and several cities in eastern China.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) also postponed the release of its June sales figures from Friday to Monday due to the approaching storm.
Forecasters said Typhoon Bavi is expected to move past Taiwan before making landfall near the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou late Saturday or early Sunday. Authorities said fishermen along China’s eastern coast had already brought their boats ashore as precautionary measures.
