Japan’s southwestern islands are on high alert as Typhoon Bavi, a powerful and destructive storm, bears down on the remote Sakishima chain. With sustained winds reaching 162 kmph, residents in areas like Ishigaki are taking urgent precautions, boarding up windows and stockpiling essential supplies as shelves in local markets run empty. The impact is already being felt across the region, with airlines grounding hundreds of flights and power outages reported across Okinawa. Travelers and locals alike are bracing for what many fear will be one of the most severe weather events to hit the islands in years, as ferry services halt and public spaces lock down.

The storm’s reach extends well beyond Japan, with neighboring Taiwan preparing for a massive deluge that could see up to a meter of rainfall in some mountainous regions. Although Bavi is not expected to make direct landfall in Taiwan, the government has already evacuated thousands of residents and placed military personnel on standby to mitigate potential flooding and landslides. Meanwhile, the typhoon is projected to continue its path toward eastern China, where coastal cities are scrambling to secure fishing fleets and infrastructure before the storm makes landfall over the weekend. Major industries, including the semiconductor sector, are also bracing for disruptions as the region hunkers down for the severe weather ahead.