Japanese authorities have declared a heightened state of alert as the large, intensifying Typhoon "Bavi" approaches the Sakishima Islands, warning residents to prepare for strong gusts, heavy rain, landslides, and flooding.
Japan's Meteorological Agency reported that on Friday morning, Typhoon Bavi neared the Sakishima Islands near Taiwan, sustaining maximum winds of 162 kilometers per hour. This prompted locals to reinforce their homes and businesses to brace for what could be the most damaging storm in the region in several years.
Several airlines have announced the cancellation of dozens of flights in the affected areas, including those scheduled for Saturday.
On Ishigaki Island, a popular tourist destination in Japan, residents rushed to stockpile food and essential items, leading to empty shelves of instant noodles in many stores. Meanwhile, beaches, coastal parks, and some ferry terminals were closed early for safety reasons.
Hiroshi Nomura, a bicycle rental shop owner in Ishigaki City, said he is quickly installing wind nets and strengthening his shop's defenses after learning the storm might be particularly severe, but admitted he remains concerned that preparations may still fall short.
Besides Nomura's shop, many buildings and stores across the island have installed wind nets and taped windows to protect against wind damage.
Meanwhile, in Taiwan, although the typhoon is not expected to make direct landfall, it is forecast to bring heavy rain across the island from Friday evening, especially in northern and eastern regions. This has led to the closure of financial markets and work stoppages in several areas, with Taipei setting up sandbag distribution points to help residents prevent flooding.
Taiwanese airlines have also canceled all flights departing from Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei on Saturday as a safety precaution for passengers.
After passing near Taiwan, Typhoon Bavi is expected to head toward China's coast, gradually weakening. However, officials in both Japan and Taiwan continue to closely monitor the situation and urge the public to stay updated with ongoing warnings.
Source:channelnewsasia
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