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Guam : Super Typhoon Bavi unleashed its fury on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on Monday, packing winds of more than 150 mph (240 kmph) as officials warned of an “imminent danger to life.”
The US National Weather Service confirmed that the eyewall of the Category 5 storm moved across Rota, bringing destructive winds, torrential rainfall, and life-threatening storm surge to Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.
Meteorologists said Bavi is sustaining winds of 290 kmph, with gusts reaching 346 kmph, making it one of the strongest storms to impact the region in recent years. Authorities issued flash flood and extreme wind warnings, urging residents to remain indoors and treat the situation as they would a tornado.
Forecasters warned the super typhoon could dump over 20 inches of rain, heightening the risk of flash floods, landslides, and widespread infrastructure damage. Reports of downed power lines and utility poles have already emerged, with officials cautioning that stepping outside could be deadly due to flying debris.
The Northern Mariana Islands face the storm while still recovering from Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which struck just three months ago. Many residents in Saipan and Tinian continue to endure prolonged power outages or live in temporary shelters, raising fears of fresh devastation.
As Bavi continues its westward track toward the Philippines, neighbouring China and Vietnam have also heightened preparedness amid concerns over the powerful system’s potential impact.
