Typhoon Bavi threatens East Asia as landslides kill 15 in Philippines

Typhoon Bavi, one of the strongest storms to threaten East Asia in decades, has caused the deaths of at least 15 people in landslides in the Philippines.

The massive storm, stretching roughly 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) across at its widest point — about the width of France — is moving across the Pacific toward Taiwan, Caliber.Az reports, citing the BBC.

Forecasters expect Bavi to bring heavy rainfall to northern and eastern Taiwan, as well as to a chain of remote Japanese islands, before making landfall in China's southeastern Fujian province on Saturday.

Authorities across the region have cancelled dozens of flights and suspended classes, while residents cleared supermarket shelves as they stocked up on essentials ahead of the storm.

On the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, entire families were buried overnight after landslides struck several areas. Rescue teams continue searching for those still missing.

Officials warned that moderate to heavy rainfall would continue affecting parts of the Philippines throughout the weekend.

In Taiwan, authorities cautioned that the typhoon could dump up to one metre (39 inches) of rain in some areas. The island's defence ministry has placed around 29,000 soldiers on standby to assist with emergency and relief operations.

Taiwan's Central Weather Administration told Reuters that Bavi is expected to become the largest typhoon by size to strike the island since 1987.

Farmers across Taiwan and neighbouring regions rushed to harvest crops or secure farmland while weather conditions remained manageable, while fishermen reinforced moorings and prepared their boats for severe conditions.

"Don't be fooled by the nice and calm weather now. A storm like this could be the most terrifying," 60-year-old fisherman Chen Ming-hui told Reuters.

Local authorities have distributed thousands of sandbags to residents and businesses in flood-prone areas.

Across the Taiwan Strait, Chinese officials warned the storm could have a "significant impact" even after landfall in Fujian Province, as it may continue moving northward.

"Bavi's large size and abundant energy mean its remnants and outer rainbands could move from Jiangsu and Anhui provinces toward the Bohai Sea region," explained Ma Jun, director of China's Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs.

The northern provinces, which have "less experience" dealing with typhoons in comparison with the south, should "strengthen preparations", he warned.

Meteorologists have indicated that Bavi could potentially make landfall twice in China.

In Japan, residents of the remote Sakishima Islands have also begun preparations. Images shared online showed people reinforcing windows with tape and installing protective netting over homes and shops.

Airlines across the region have announced widespread cancellations. Japan Airlines alone scrapped more than 100 flights scheduled for Friday and Saturday, affecting nearly 20,000 passengers.

All Nippon Airways cancelled more than 160 flights through Sunday, disrupting travel plans for another 20,000 people, according to Reuters.

Thai Airways and Malaysia Airlines have also suspended flights to and from Taipei.

Meanwhile, parts of southern China are still recovering from the destruction caused earlier this week by Typhoon Maysak.

The storm left at least 39 people dead, while search teams continue looking for missing residents. More than 130,000 people were evacuated, most of them in the Guangxi region.

Maysak killed large numbers of livestock, inflicted severe agricultural losses and triggered two rare tornadoes in Hubei province in central China.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov