A powerful typhoon has left a trail of chaos across East Asia, forcing over 900,000 residents in China to evacuate their homes as the storm prepared to make landfall near the metropolis of Wenzhou. The region, already reeling from severe flooding and storms earlier in the week that claimed at least 39 lives, is bracing for exceptionally heavy rainfall. Similar scenes of disruption have played out in northern Taiwan and Japan’s southwestern islands, where fierce winds have knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of households, shuttered businesses, and grounded numerous flights.

The impact of the storm has been felt far beyond the mainland, with the Philippines reporting 18 deaths due to landslides and flooding, while Okinawa faces significant infrastructure damage. Although Typhoon Bavi weakened slightly after passing through the Pacific, experts warn that climate-driven ocean warming and the return of El Niño are fueling the intensity and moisture content of such weather systems. While some local residents in Taiwan have expressed skepticism regarding the severity of the warnings, authorities remain on high alert, prioritizing massive mobilization efforts to prevent further loss of life as the region grapples with the storm's unpredictable path.