Typhoon Bavi Kills 15 in Philippines, Taiwan Braces for Impact

Typhoon Bavi has struck southern Philippines, causing landslides that have killed at least 10 people, bringing the total death toll to 15. According to Rodrigo Sosmena, ten people were buried alive in a landslide on the island of Mindanao. Earlier, at least five people were confirmed dead and six others remain missing in another landslide incident. Meanwhile, in Taiwan, residents in the port city of Keelung, which is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, are rushing to prepare for the typhoon. They are stocking up on food, boarding up doors and windows, and arranging sandbags in front of their shops. Chang Shi-hua, a 76-year-old shop owner, said that hearing that the typhoon was very large made him shiver. "We have stocked up on some instant noodles, bread, and other foodstuffs. When the typhoon reaches here, we will have to close the shop for a while." After passing through Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on Monday, Typhoon Bavi weakened slightly to a typhoon and continued its journey across the Pacific Ocean. The storm has an average sustained wind speed of 162 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 198 kilometers per hour at times. Today, the typhoon is moving slower than yesterday. Its speed may continue to decrease due to meteorological factors. The areas most severely affected by this typhoon are Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Yilan. The regions expected to experience the heaviest rainfall are the mountainous areas in central and northern Taiwan. Schools and other businesses have suspended operations across northern and eastern Taiwan. Hundreds of domestic and international flights have also been cancelled.