China evacuates hundreds of thousands as Typhoon Bavi nears Zhejiang

Hundreds of thousands of residents in eastern Zhejiang province have been moved to safety as authorities prepare for an approaching storm that is expected to pass near the coastal city of Wenzhou. The large‑scale evacuation, coordinated by the provincial emergency management department, began early Tuesday and involves the relocation of people from low‑lying neighborhoods, schools and commercial districts to designated shelters and higher ground. Officials have also deployed rescue teams, sandbags and temporary flood barriers along vulnerable riverbanks and coastal stretches to mitigate potential damage.

Meteorological agencies forecast that the system, classified as a severe tropical cyclone, will track close to Wenzhou later in the day, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and the risk of flash flooding. The provincial government has urged residents to remain in shelters until the storm passes and has activated emergency response protocols across neighboring counties. While the full impact remains uncertain, the preemptive measures aim to protect lives and reduce disruption as the storm moves inland.