Impact

Taiwan is bracing for its biggest weather threat of the year as Super Typhoon
Bavi has tied this year's record as the strongest typhoon.

The Central Weather Administration says Bavi reached peak sustained winds of
216 kilometers per hour, matching Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April as this
year's most powerful storm.

Forecasters say the storm is most likely to pass northeast of Taiwan, rather
than making landfall, but its massive radius is still expected to affect much
of the island.

The agency says sea warnings could be issued on Wednesday, with land warnings
possible Wednesday night or Thursday, depending on the storm's track.

Bavi is expected to pass closest to Taiwan on Friday and Saturday, bringing
rain across the island.

Heavy to torrential rain is forecast across western Taiwan, Yilan and
Hualien, with northern mountain areas facing the highest risk of extremely
heavy rainfall.

Officials are also warning of dangerous swells beginning Tuesday along the
north coast, eastern coastline, Green Island, Orchid Island and the Hengchun
Peninsula.