Taiwan has been making final preparations as Severe Typhoon Bavi approaches the
island, bringing widespread transport disruptions, school and office
closures, and warnings of destructive winds and torrential rainfall through
Saturday.

According to the Central Weather Administration (CWA), as of 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, Bavi was located approximately 860 kilometers east-southeast of
Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan's southernmost point, moving north-northwest at around
23 kilometers per hour before forecast to turn northwest.

The storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 184 kilometers per hour near
its center, with gusts reaching 227 kilometers per hour and a circulation
radius of 380 kilometers.

A sea warning remains in effect for the Bashi Channel and waters off Taiwan's
northeast and southeast, while the CWA is expected to issue a land warning if
the storm continues along its projected path.

Forecasters say the most severe weather is expected from late Friday through
Saturday evening, with areas north of Taichung and all mountainous regions
likely to experience heavy rain and damaging winds.

Meteorologist Wu Der-rong says locations closest to the typhoon's eyewall,
including Pengjia Islet and Taiwan's northern and northeastern coastal areas,
could experience the strongest winds. The eyewall is the ring of intense
thunderstorms surrounding the center of a typhoon and produces its most
destructive winds.

Wu says Bavi is expected to maintain its status as a large severe typhoon
until interacting with Taiwan's terrain on Saturday, with conditions
gradually easing later Saturday night as the storm moves away.


Schools and offices close

As of 9 p.m. Thursday, local governments had announced that schools and
offices would close Friday in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu
City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Yilan County and Hualien County.

Taichung City has announced that schools and offices will close from 6 p.m.
Thursday and remain closed throughout Friday.

Authorities in other cities and counties are continuing to monitor conditions
and may issue further announcements.


Flights canceled across Taiwan

Airlines have announced extensive cancellations and schedule changes as the
storm approaches.

Taoyuan International Airport says all scheduled flights operated by Taiwan's
airlines on Saturday have been canceled.

China Airlines and EVA Air will suspend flight operations from 6 p.m. Friday
through 4 a.m. Sunday, while Starlux Airlines and Tigerair Taiwan have
canceled all Saturday flights.

Airlines have also begun canceling or rescheduling numerous domestic and
international flights on Friday, while several foreign carriers have
announced service disruptions.

Airport authorities say they have completed typhoon preparations, including
reinforcing flood defenses, inspecting critical infrastructure, securing
construction sites and deploying pumps in flood-prone areas.

Passengers are being urged to check directly with their airlines for the
latest flight information before heading to the airport.


Ferry and rail services affected

The Maritime and Port Bureau has suspended or adjusted ferry services on
numerous domestic and offshore island routes, including services to Penghu,
Matsu, Green Island, Orchid Island and Kinmen.

Cross-strait ferry services between Kinmen and China's Fujian Province are
also facing widespread suspensions.

Authorities are urging travelers to avoid nonessential trips to outlying
islands and monitor operators for the latest sailing information.

Taiwan Railway Corp. has also introduced additional capacity on its Eastern
Trunk Line by allowing standing tickets on EMU3000 Tze-chiang limited express
trains to help passengers travel north from Hualien and Taitung before
conditions deteriorate.


Public urged to prepare

Authorities are urging residents to complete storm preparations, avoid
unnecessary travel during the height of the typhoon, and continue monitoring
official weather forecasts and transport announcements.

With Bavi expected to have its greatest impact from Friday night through
Saturday, residents are advised to remain indoors during periods of severe
weather and prepare for disruptions to transportation and daily life across
much of Taiwan.