Taipei, en.SERU.co.id – Super Typhoon Bavi, one of the strongest storms of the 2026 Pacific season, was continuing its northwest track across the Philippine Sea on Thursday, July 9, 2026, as it heads toward Taiwan and is forecast to make landfall in mainland China this weekend.
As of early Thursday, the storm’s center was located at approximately 18.4°N, 129.8°E, moving northwest at 18–23 km/h with sustained winds of 51 m/s (around 184 km/h) and gusts up to 63 m/s, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA).
Taiwanese meteorologist Wu Der-rong warned that the typhoon will begin affecting the island on Friday, with the strongest impacts expected on Saturday.
“Central and northern Taiwan, as well as mountainous areas, could face strong winds and torrential rain,” Wu said.
The CWA projects Bavi’s eye will pass near northeastern Taiwan before moving into waters north of the island and heading toward China, where it is expected to weaken to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane by landfall in Fujian or Zhejiang provinces.
Taiwanese authorities have stepped up preparations, with Premier Su Tseng-chang ordering around 28,000 troops to stand by for emergency response. Local agencies in areas such as Hualien are already considering possible evacuations.
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Bavi gained attention earlier this week after pounding Guam and Rota as a super typhoon. Meteorologist Dr. Ryan Maue noted its “massive wind field — Tropical Storm force extending over 10 degrees of longitude and hurricane force upwards of 400 nm across.”
The 2026 western North Pacific typhoon season has been unusually busy. Bavi follows other powerful systems such as Typhoon Maysak, which recently triggered severe flooding across southern China.
“Heavy rains from Typhoon Maysak caused widespread flooding in the Guangxi Zhuang region,” Metro TV reported.
Residents and travelers along the coasts of Taiwan and eastern China are urged to stay alert, monitor official weather updates, avoid low-lying and mountainous areas, and prepare emergency supplies. Disaster response teams in both regions remain on high alert.
*(Sources: Taiwan News, Central Weather Administration (CWA) Taiwan, Dr. Ryan Maue’s tropical weather update, Focus Taiwan, and Metro TV)
