Security measures stepped up in Shanghai and Fujian as Typhoon Bavi approaches eastern China
When a storm that has already shown its destructive power moves on, bringing entire cities to a standstill, the focus shifts not only to nature's might but also to humanity's ability to prepare, protect and evacuate. Typhoon Bavi has already hit Zhejiang, leaving behind flooded roads and uprooted trees, and now its path leads to Shanghai and Fujian. Authorities are introducing emergency measures — cancelling flights, closing tourist sites and evacuating tens of thousands — to meet the onslaught with minimal losses.
Typhoon Bavi, the ninth typhoon of the year, made landfall on the coast of eastern China's Zhejiang Province at around 23:20 on Saturday, according to the Zhejiang Meteorological Observatory. The storm, with maximum wind speeds near its centre reaching 40 metres per second, struck the coast of Yuhuan, a county‑level city under the administration of Taizhou. In response, Shanghai's two international airports cancelled 653 flights on Sunday. Since Saturday, more than 50 major tourist attractions have been temporarily closed, and 34,000 residents from high‑risk areas have been evacuated to safety. In Fujian Province, over 180,000 people have been evacuated. Operations on 70 passenger ferry routes have been suspended, all offshore construction projects and wind farms have been shut down, and more than 60,000 vessels have returned to port.
Typhoon Bavi continues moving northwestwards, gradually weakening, but its impact on China's eastern coast remains significant. Shanghai, as the country's largest city and transport hub, has taken unprecedented precautions to minimise damage and ensure public safety. Authorities in Fujian, where the typhoon is expected in the coming hours, have also mobilised all services and carried out large‑scale evacuations. As CCTV+ reports. Rescue teams are on high alert, while meteorologists continue to track the storm's trajectory to adjust response measures in a timely manner.
