Massive Waves Pound Coastal China as Typhoon Bavi Makes Landfall in Zhejiang Province
In a dramatic display of nature's power, Typhoon Bavi slammed into eastern China on July 11, 2026, unleashing towering waves and fierce winds along the coast of Taizhou City in Zhejiang Province. Eyewitness video circulating on social media captures the raw intensity of the storm, showing massive, murky brown waves crashing violently against seawalls and waterfront buildings, sending plumes of spray high into the air.
The footage, shared by the Disaster News account on X, depicts churning seas littered with debris—likely a mix of ocean waste and storm-tossed materials—pounding against urban infrastructure in Taizhou. Buildings line the background as relentless waves erode the shoreline and flood low-lying areas, highlighting the storm's immediate impact on coastal communities.
A Powerful but Weakening Storm
Typhoon Bavi, the ninth named storm of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season, made landfall near Yuhuan in Taizhou around 11:20 p.m. local time (15:20 GMT) on Saturday. At the time of landfall, it packed maximum sustained winds of approximately 144 km/h (about 90 mph), equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The storm had weakened from super typhoon strength due to wind shear, cooler waters, and an eyewall replacement cycle as it approached the mainland.
Prior to hitting China, Bavi battered Japan's southern Sakishima Islands and brushed past northern Taiwan, bringing heavy rains, strong winds, and disruptions. In China, authorities acted swiftly in preparation. More than 1.7 million people were evacuated across Zhejiang Province, with additional tens of thousands moved in neighboring Fujian. Flights, ferries, and some rail services were suspended, while coastal areas recalled fishing boats and secured infrastructure.
Broader Impacts and Context
The storm's massive size—spanning roughly 1,000 km at its widest—raised concerns for torrential rainfall, flash flooding, and landslides even after landfall. It follows closely on the heels of previous systems like Typhoon Maysak, which caused significant flooding in southern China.
No immediate fatalities were widely reported from Bavi's landfall in China, thanks in large part to proactive evacuations and warnings. However, the event underscores the growing vulnerability of densely populated coastal regions to intensifying tropical cyclones in a changing climate.
Residents in affected areas like Wenzhou braced for the worst, with some expressing cautious optimism amid last-minute preparations. As Bavi continues to weaken inland, forecasters warn of lingering heavy rain and potential secondary disasters across eastern and northern provinces in the coming days.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust disaster preparedness in typhoon-prone regions. Communities in Zhejiang and beyond are now focused on recovery, damage assessment, and supporting those displaced.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops. Sources include official meteorological reports, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and eyewitness footage from the ground.
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Massive waves as Typhoon Bavi hits Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, China 🇨🇳 (11.07.2026) pic.twitter.com/kyebQeJwLK
— Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) July 11, 2026