Super Typhoon Bavi Slams US Pacific Islands with Devastating Winds and Torrential Rain

Super Typhoon Bavi has made landfall over the US Pacific territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain and life-threatening storm surge.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the western eye of the powerful storm is moving across the islands with sustained winds approaching 290 km/h (180 mph) and gusts reaching 350 km/h (217 mph).

Forecasters warned that the “very dangerous” super typhoon could inflict catastrophic damage, with waves forecast to reach nearly 11 metres (35 feet) along exposed coastlines.

Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors or seek emergency shelter as hazardous conditions continue to worsen.

The western Pacific is one of the world’s most active regions for tropical cyclones. Although storms of Bavi’s intensity are relatively rare for these US territories, scientists say climate change is increasing the likelihood of stronger and more destructive typhoons.

Ahead of the storm’s arrival, thousands of residents rushed to secure their homes, stock emergency supplies and move into evacuation centres.

The island of Rota, the southernmost inhabited island of the Northern Mariana Islands located about 50 kilometres northeast of Guam, is experiencing a direct hit from the typhoon.

Rota’s mayor’s office issued an emergency advisory urging residents to prepare for “destructive winds” and warning that conditions would deteriorate rapidly, making it unsafe to venture outdoors.

The National Weather Service said typhoon-force winds are expected to persist until early Monday afternoon, with tropical storm-force winds likely to continue beyond midnight.

On Guam, home to approximately 170,000 people and a popular tourist destination, officials opened five evacuation centres in local schools. The shelters have a combined capacity of about 1,700 people and are intended primarily for vulnerable residents.

Guam’s civil defence office reported that by 1:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, one evacuation centre had already reached full capacity, prompting authorities to redirect evacuees to alternative shelters.

The storm has been designated a super typhoon by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), the US military agency responsible for monitoring tropical cyclones across the western Pacific.

A super typhoon is defined as having sustained winds exceeding 240 km/h (150 mph). The National Weather Service says storms of this magnitude possess destructive potential comparable to a Category 4 or Category 5 hurricane, posing severe risks to lives, infrastructure and coastal communities.

Emergency officials continue to urge residents to remain in safe shelter until authorities declare conditions safe, warning that damaging winds, flash flooding, large waves and dangerous debris remain significant threats even after the eye of the storm passes.