China activates geological disaster response for Zhejiang, Fujian provinces

BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) on Friday activated a Level III geological disaster emergency response for the country's eastern provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian.

According to the MEM, influenced by Typhoon Bavi, the ninth typhoon of 2026, southern Zhejiang and northeastern Fujian are expected to experience heavy to torrential rainfall from Friday to Monday, with some areas facing extremely heavy rainfall.

China's national observatory on Friday renewed an orange alert for Typhoon Bavi. Bavi is forecast to move northwest at a speed of 15-20 km per hour and make landfall along the coast from Xiapu in Fujian to Wenling in Zhejiang on Saturday night, with its intensity gradually weakening after landfall.

Following joint consultations and assessments with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the MEM has identified a high risk of geological disasters in southeastern Zhejiang and northeastern Fujian. The MEM thus activated the emergency response for geological disasters and dispatched working groups to guide prevention and response efforts in the two provinces.

The ministry has called on authorities in affected regions to deploy rescue forces, supplies and equipment, and intensify inspections and early warning.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe.