Heavy torrential rains triggered by Typhoon Bavi have battered northeastern and central regions of China, forcing a total of approximately 300,000 residents to urgently evacuate. Damage is spreading across the affected areas, leading to the closure of schools at all levels.

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A typhoon disaster prevention poster recently distributed across the nation by China's National Meteorological Center indicates the severity of the situation. / Photo courtesy of Xinhua News Agency

According to a report by the state-run Xinhua News Agency on July 13, the northward advance of Typhoon Bavi has triggered relentless torrential rains across provinces including Liaoning, Hebei, and Anhui, causing widespread flood damage such as submerged bridges, inundated roads, and flooded agricultural fields. In Liaoning Province alone, more than 5,000 residents suffered from flood damage as of the afternoon of July 13. The affected crop area was tallied at 303.33 hectares. In response to the heavy downpours, disaster response authorities had evacuated a total of over 200,000 residents to safe zones as of 6:00 p.m. that day.

Particularly in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province, the operations of several bus routes and subway stations were temporarily suspended due to flooded roads. Shenyang authorities completely halted classes at kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools, while also suspending construction work and outdoor activities. Additionally, more than 100 tourist attractions across the city were temporarily closed.

The authorities also advised citizens to refrain from unnecessary outings and to work from home if possible. Furthermore, a coordinated emergency response framework is being operated under the leadership of relevant government agencies.

In the northern province of Jilin, disaster prevention authorities issued a red alert for flooding and landslides at 11:00 a.m. that day, warning that the heavy rains had severely heightened the risk of landslides. Assessing a high probability of landslides around the Changbaishan (Mount Paektu) tourist area, authorities urged tourists to avoid the vicinity.

In Chengde, Hebei Province, which forms part of the greater capital region, the heavy rainfall caused multiple vehicles to be swept away by rapid currents. Roads connecting to approximately nine villages in the city were washed out, leaving some residents reportedly stranded.

In central Anhui Province, over 70,000 residents were urgently evacuated as a preemptive measure. Parks were closed, and reservoirs are conducting advance water discharges.

China's National Meteorological Center stated that as of 1:00 a.m. that day, Typhoon Bavi was moving northeastward at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour near Suqian, Jiangsu Province. The center projected that the typhoon would pass through the Shandong Peninsula during the day on July 14 to enter the Yellow Sea, before weakening into an extratropical cyclone on July 15.

                                                                                                           Hong Soon-do