Bavi nears, Guangdong orders boats back to port before 6 p.m.

Guangdong authorities have ordered all fishing vessels operating in waters in and east of Shenzhen to return to port by 6 p.m. today, after activating the province's "Six 100%" typhoon prevention measures ahead of Super Typhoon Bavi.

The latest forecast shows strong winds spreading across waters east of Taiwan as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches, with eastern Guangdong expected to experience strengthening offshore winds. Photos courtesy of National Meteorological Center unless otherwise stated

The provincial flood, drought and typhoon control headquarters issued the directive last night, requiring coastal authorities to implement precautionary measures to safeguard lives and property as the powerful storm approaches Taiwan and China's southeastern coast.

Fishing boats ordered back to port

Under the province's "Six 100%" typhoon prevention measures, all offshore fishing vessels operating in waters in and east of Shenzhen must return to sheltered ports before 6 p.m. today.

Personnel working on marine fish farms and offshore aquaculture facilities are required to evacuate ashore, while workers on offshore wind power construction platforms must leave for safety.

Authorities have also suspended offshore recreational activities, banning recreational fishing boats, diving vessels and other leisure craft from going to sea. Coastal tourist attractions and cross-sea ferry services may be suspended depending on weather conditions.

For waters west of Shenzhen, authorities have instructed local governments to closely monitor Bavi's track and strengthen maritime safety measures, with evacuations to be carried out wherever safety cannot be guaranteed.

Fishing vessels currently operating near Zhejiang and Fujian have also been instructed to seek shelter at the nearest available ports and comply with local typhoon control measures.

Shenzhen to feel indirect effects

The lates trach shows at 5 a.m. today, Bavi was about 1,210 km southeast of Keelung, Taiwan, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 m/s, making it a super typhoon. 

Although Bavi is not expected to make a direct impact on Shenzhen, meteorologists say the storm will still influence the city's weather by disrupting the regional monsoon.

As Bavi moves closer to northeastern Taiwan today, the coastal monsoon affecting Guangdong is expected to weaken, leading to a gradual reduction in rainfall across Shenzhen.

From today to tomorrow, Shenzhen will come under the influence of sinking air on the outer edge of the typhoon's circulation, bringing significantly less rain and a return of hot weather.

After Bavi is expected to make landfall around Saturday, the summer monsoon is forecast to move back inland, making Shenzhen's weather unstable again with an increased chance of showers. Residents are advised to continue monitoring the latest weather forecasts.

Shenzhen's seven-day forecast indicates rainfall will ease from today through Saturday as the city comes under the influence of Super Typhoon Bavi's outer circulation, allowing hot weather to return. Rain chances are expected to increase again early next week after the storm moves inland. Shenzhen Meteorological Bureau

Powerful storm approaches Taiwan

According to China's meteorological authorities, Super Typhoon Bavi, the ninth named storm of the year, was located about 1,210 kilometers southeast of Keelung, Taiwan, at 5 a.m. today, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 meters per second near its center and a minimum central pressure of 930 hectopascals.

The storm is forecast to move northwest at 15–20 km/h, approaching northeastern Taiwan before making landfall or skirting the island's northern coast tomorrow as a super typhoon or severe typhoon. It is then expected to move toward the coast between central Fujian and southern Zhejiang while gradually weakening.

The latest forecast track shows Super Typhoon Bavi moving northwest toward northeastern Taiwan before approaching the coasts of Fujian and Zhejiang. The storm is forecast to gradually weaken after landfall while continuing to affect southeastern China with strong winds and heavy seas.

Strong winds are forecast to develop over eastern Guangdong's coastal waters and the northeastern South China Sea from today through tomorrow, with sustained winds reaching Force 7–9 and gusts of up to Force 11. Eastern Guangdong and Meizhou are also expected to experience thunderstorms and squally weather.