Typhoon Bavi Weakens but Still Packs a Rainy Punch for Southern China

When the satellite images first showed Typhoon Bavi churning in the western Pacific, forecasters warned of a monster that could slam into China’s south‑eastern seaboard. By the time the storm reached the edge of the East China Sea, however, its winds had already begun to soften, and the system started to drift more toward the north.

That doesn’t mean the danger has vanished. The still‑powerful cyclone is expected to dump copious rain over Guangdong, Fujian and the nearby islands, with some areas bracing for more than 150 mm of precipitation in just a few hours. Local officials have already issued red‑level flood warnings, urged residents to secure loose objects, and reminded fishermen to keep their vessels in safe harbour.

Weather bureaus in both China and the neighbouring Philippines say the storm’s eye is now widening, a clear sign that Bavi is losing its tight, intense core. Yet the sprawling cloud mass carries enough moisture to turn the coastal plains into a soggy mess. In Guangzhou, schools have been asked to stay on standby, while parts of the highway network may see temporary closures as landslides become a real threat.

One quirky detail that caught meteorologists’ attention is the storm’s unexpected turn. Early models had Bavi tracking straight westward, but a subtle shift in the subtropical ridge nudged the system toward the north‑northeast. This change means the brunt of the rain will fall inland rather than directly on the coastline, sparking concerns for river basins that are already running high after weeks of monsoon rain.

Emergency services are on high alert. The Guangdong Provincial Emergency Management Department has mobilised rescue teams, while the Ministry of Water Resources has asked reservoirs to release water in a controlled manner to avoid sudden overflows downstream.

In the meantime, residents are told to stay vigilant. “It’s not the first time a weakened typhoon caused flooding,” said Li Wei, a local school principal. “We’re preparing for the worst, even if the wind isn’t as fierce as it once was.”

So while Bavi may have lost some of its raw power, its lingering moisture and altered path still demand respect. Authorities hope the proactive measures will keep damage to a minimum, but the coming days will reveal just how much rain the battered coastal provinces can absorb before the water starts to rise.