YUHUAN, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – Typhoon Bavi struck eastern China’s Zhejiang province late Saturday, bringing 144 km/h winds and heavy rain before moving inland. The storm first made landfall in Yuhuan at about 11:20 p.m. local time. It reached Yueqing, part of Wenzhou, around midnight. Bavi then weakened as it tracked northwest, but its rain bands continued across eastern and northern China. It was the ninth typhoon of the year and Zhejiang’s strongest July typhoon since 1949.
The Zhejiang provincial meteorological observatory measured peak winds near the storm’s center at 40 metres per second during landfall. Huge waves hit the coast, while floodwater covered roads in Yueqing and other low-lying communities. More than 1,300 trees fell in Yueqing, including over 700 uprooted trees. Crews used excavators and chainsaws to clear roads blocked by debris and small landslides. Authorities had not reported deaths or injuries in mainland China by Sunday.
Zhejiang authorities relocated 2.68 million people before landfall and opened more than 19,000 emergency shelters. They suspended classes, closed 830 construction sites and shut more than 400 scenic areas. Officials also closed over 200 high-risk amusement facilities. Rainfall above 50 millimetres covered about 42% of Zhejiang during a 24-hour period. The typhoon flooded streets, damaged signs and buildings, and disrupted daily life across several coastal cities.
Mass evacuations limit immediate toll
The Ministry of Water Resources raised China’s flood alert to yellow as Bavi pushed moisture deep inland. Forecast rainfall totals ranged from 40 to 90 millimetres across broad areas. Some locations could receive more than 260 millimetres. Officials warned of river flooding, mountain torrents, landslides and urban waterlogging. They urged residents to avoid low-lying roads, underground passages and mountain valleys during intense rain. A national Level IV disaster response remained active across affected regions.
The National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan to Zhejiang for emergency restoration work. The funding covers damaged roads, water facilities, schools, hospitals and other public services. Central authorities also sent 70,000 relief items to Zhejiang, Tianjin and Anhui. The supplies included folding beds, blankets, summer quilts and family emergency kits. Earlier, finance and emergency authorities assigned another 40 million yuan for rescue and relief operations in Zhejiang and Fujian.
Flooding spreads into northern provinces
By Monday, severe flooding had submerged roads and swept away vehicles in Hebei and Liaoning. Floodwaters stranded around 1,800 villagers in Kuancheng county along the Luan River. Water on some roads rose above two metres. Authorities made evacuation and resettlement their priority as rivers swelled after repeated downpours. Liaoning issued a red flash-flood alert. Hebei required work stoppages, business closures and limits on public gatherings during red rain alerts.
Bavi’s remnants also affected Anhui, Jiangsu, Shandong, Jilin and other parts of eastern and northeastern China. Nearly 14,000 people left risk areas in Huangshan, Anhui, by Sunday evening. Shenyang closed schools, training centers, construction sites and outdoor markets for Monday. Officials also shut mountain and waterside attractions. Emergency teams continued drainage, road clearance and shelter support as the storm weakened. Authorities maintained red alerts for flash floods and geological hazards in parts of Liaoning, Jilin and Anhui.