East Asia braces for destructive typhoon as landslides kill 15 in Philippines

Landslides set off by one of the strongest storms in decades have killed at least 15 people in the southern Philippines, while parts of East Asia prepare for the approaching typhoon. Typhoon Bavi, measuring 1,000 km (620 miles) at its widest point – roughly the width of France – is tracking across the Pacific toward Taiwan. Forecasters expect it to unleash heavy rain on Taiwan’s northern and eastern regions, as well as on a chain of remote Japanese islands, before making landfall in southeastern China on Saturday. Dozens of flights have been cancelled and schools closed throughout the affected area. Supermarket shelves have been cleared as residents stock up on supplies. On the island of Mindanao, families were buried overnight by landslides, and rescue teams continue to search for those still missing. Officials say moderate to dense rainfall will persist over the weekend, continuing to drench parts of the country. Taiwanese authorities warned that Bavi could dump up to 1 m (39 inches) of rain. The island’s defence ministry reported that 29,000 soldiers have been placed on standby to assist with relief operations. According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, Bavi is poised to become the largest storm, by size, to strike the region since 1987. Farmers across the area rushed to harvest or protect their crops as conditions held earlier on Friday, while fishermen secured their vessels tightly. “Don't be fooled by the good and calm weather now. A storm like this could be the most terrifying,” 60‑year‑old fisherman Chen Ming‑hui told Reuters. Thousands of sandbags have been distributed to residents and shop‑owners in flood‑prone zones. Across the Taiwan Strait, China warned of a “significant impact” from the typhoon, which could move northward after hitting southeastern Fujian province. “Bavi's ample size and abundant vigor mean its remnants and outer rainbands could move from Jiangsu and Anhui provinces toward the Bohai Sea region,” said Ma Jun, manager of China’s Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs. He added that the northern provinces, which have “less experience” dealing with typhoons compared with the south, should “strengthen preparations.” Some forecasts suggest Bavi could make landfall twice in China.