Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit mainland China this year, made landfall in Zhejiang province, prompting the evacuation of over 2.8 million people. The storm weakened to a tropical storm by Sunday morning but is expected to bring prolonged heavy rain across eastern and northern China, raising concerns about flooding in already saturated areas.
In Zhejiang, particularly affected cities like Yuhuan and Yueqing reported significant damage, with local residents describing unprecedented flooding and destruction. The storm also disrupted transport, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and train services in major cities like Hangzhou and Shanghai.
Experts warn that the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms, potentially linked to climate change and the El Niño weather pattern, pose ongoing challenges for disaster management in China.
The economic impact could be substantial, especially in regions reliant on agriculture and tourism, as recovery efforts will be necessary to address the damage and prepare for future extreme weather events