Zhejiang preps for torrential rain as Typhoon Bavi approaches

The National Meteorological Center forecast on Friday morning that Typhoon Bavi, the ninth typhoon of the year, is expected to make landfall on Saturday evening along the coast between Xiapu county, Fujian province, and Wenling, Zhejiang province.

After landfall, it is expected to move northwestward and gradually weaken, according to the center. 

Forecasters said Typhoon Bavi is increasingly likely to make direct landfall in southern Zhejiang province, according to a report from local news outlet Chao News.

Zhejiang province is expected to experience heavy rainfall from Friday night through Sunday. Moderate to heavy rain is forecast for parts of the southeastern coastal areas on Friday, while torrential to extremely heavy rain is expected across coastal and central-southern Zhejiang on Saturday, with some areas in Wenzhou, Taizhou, and Lishui likely to see exceptionally heavy downpours. On Sunday, parts of western and coastal Zhejiang are forecast to receive heavy rain and even torrential rain, the report said.

Meteorological authorities warned that Bavi could bring intense rainfall and large cumulative precipitation, increasing the risk of flash floods, geological disasters, and urban waterlogging.

Chao News reported that many residents in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, began stocking up on essential supplies on Thursday evening in preparation for the approaching storm. Photos published by the outlet showed that some supermarket shelves had been emptied.

A staff member at Hangzhou's emergency management bureau told Chao News that households are advised to keep enough essential supplies to last about three days, adding that there is no need for panic buying or excessive purchasing.