Taiwan, China and parts of Japan are on high alert as Super Typhoon Bavi barrels across the western Pacific, threatening widespread devastation just days after deadly flooding caused by Typhoon Maysak claimed dozens of lives in southern China.

Packing sustained winds of nearly 200 kilometres per hour, Bavi is forecast to brush northern Taiwan before making landfall in China's eastern Fujian province on Saturday evening, raising fears of catastrophic damage, severe flooding and prolonged disruptions across the region.

The enormous storm, stretching nearly 1,000 kilometres across at its widest point, is expected to become the largest typhoon to affect Taiwan since 1987. Weather authorities warned that its sheer size, combined with its powerful winds and torrential rainfall, could make it one of the island's most destructive storms in recent history.

According to Reuters, Taiwan's Central Weather Administration has urged residents to stockpile food, water and emergency supplies while reinforcing homes against powerful winds. Officials described Bavi as potentially the strongest typhoon to threaten Taiwan since 2024, warning that conditions could deteriorate rapidly as the storm approaches.

China remains vulnerable after Typhoon Maysak devastated the southern region of Guangxi, where at least 39 people were killed and nine others remain missing following widespread flooding. The storm also triggered inland tornadoes and severe flooding in Hubei province, compounding the humanitarian crisis.

The flooding caused unusual scenes in Guangxi after more than 100 animals escaped from a local zoo, including zebras, porcupines, parrots, raccoons and pheasants. Chinese media reported that three lions drowned in the floodwaters, while several other animals narrowly survived after being rescued by local residents.

In Taiwan's northeastern fishing town of Suao, hundreds of fishing vessels have crowded into sheltered harbours as fishermen secured their boats ahead of the storm. Local authorities distributed sandbags to residents, while farmers rushed to harvest crops before heavy rain and destructive winds arrive.

Neighboring Japan has also begun emergency preparations. Authorities in Okinawa warned residents to expect violent winds, landslides, coastal flooding and dangerous storm surges through the weekend. Major airlines, including Japan Airlines and ANA, cancelled dozens of domestic flights, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers.

Meteorologists warned that Bavi's prolonged journey over unusually warm Pacific waters has allowed it to gain exceptional strength. Scientists say even a slight shift in the storm's track could dramatically alter the areas facing the greatest destruction.

Climate experts also cautioned that warming ocean temperatures and the anticipated return of El Niño are creating conditions favourable for more frequent and more intense tropical cyclones across the Asia-Pacific, increasing the risks for densely populated coastal communities already vulnerable to extreme weather.

Authorities across the region have urged residents to closely monitor official weather updates and complete emergency preparations before Typhoon Bavi reaches land, warning that the coming days could bring life-threatening conditions across Taiwan, eastern China and parts of Japan.

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