China, Taiwan brace for powerful Typhoon Bavi

China and Taiwan are preparing for what could become one of the most destructive storms to hit the region in years as Typhoon Bavi approaches with winds nearing 200 kph (124 mph), while parts of China continue recovering from the devastation caused by Typhoon Maysak.

Taiwanese authorities warned that northern mountain areas near Taipei could receive up to one metre of rainfall, while the defence ministry said around 29,000 troops had been placed on standby ahead of what could be the island's strongest typhoon since Typhoon Kong-rey in 2024, which claimed three lives, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

According to China's National Meteorological Centre, Bavi — currently spanning about 1,000 kilometres at its widest point, roughly the width of France — is expected to pass north of Taiwan before making landfall in China's eastern Fujian province on Saturday evening.

Storms of this magnitude have been "fairly rare in recent years," Taiwan Central Weather Administration forecaster Jason Chang told Reuters, adding that Bavi is expected to become the largest storm by size to affect Taiwan since 1987.

Meanwhile, rescue teams in China continued searching through areas devastated by Typhoon Maysak, which killed at least 39 people after sweeping through Guangxi earlier this week. Local officials said nine people remain missing.

The approaching storm has already disrupted air travel, with Japan Airlines cancelling 50 flights on Friday and All Nippon Airways announcing dozens more cancellations affecting thousands of passengers.

Scientists have increasingly linked the growing intensity of storms affecting China, Taiwan and Japan to climate change. Meteorologists have also warned that the anticipated arrival of El Niño conditions could contribute to more frequent and powerful typhoons this year.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov