Typhoon Bavi is moving farther away from Taiwan, but strong winds and heavy
rain remain possible overnight.

As of 6 p.m., the Central Weather Administration said Bavi was about 260
kilometers north-northeast of Taipei, moving northwest at 26 to 23 kilometers
per hour.

The medium-strength typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 38 meters per
second and a storm-force wind radius of 320 kilometers.

The land warning remained in effect for New Taipei, Keelung, Taipei, Yilan,
Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli and Matsu.

The CWA said Taiwan's main island could leave Bavi's storm-force wind field
around late Saturday or early Sunday, with typhoon warnings possibly lifted
between early morning and later Sunday morning.

Rain should gradually ease in northern Taiwan overnight.

However, central and southern mountain areas could continue to see showers,
while Matsu may experience heavier rain and strong gusts.

Coastal waters will remain rough.

Most cities and counties are expected to resume normal operations Sunday.

Work and classes remain suspended in Matsu, two mountain townships in Hsinchu
County, five mountain districts in Kaohsiung, and designated areas of Hualien
County.

Rail, flight and ferry schedules may continue to change as operators assess
weather and infrastructure conditions.

Typhoon Bavi is around 200 kilometers north of Taipei and continuing to move
in a northwesterly direction at around 25 km/h.

The storm is weakening as it heads toward Fujian and Zhejiang provinces in
China, with a maximum sustained wind speed near the center of 137 km/h and a
radius of 350 kilometers.

No international flights have arrived or departed today, with a total of 1204
international and domestic flights canceled today. A pair of flights from
Vietnam are expected to be allowed to land shortly after 9pm this evening.

The Taiwan Railways Administration has canceled all reserved-seat services
across the island today. A few local trains are running.

Reserved-seat high-speed trains are also suspended. THSR has three trains
running each out in both directions between Nangang and Zuoying on a
non-reserved basis.

Some MRT lines are operating on a reduced frequency, but others aren't,
including those that run above ground in Taipei.

Hsinchu County is topping the accumulated rainfall charts in Taiwan, with the
Central Weather Administration forecasting up to 400mm for the full day.

The storm is less than 300 kilometers east northeast of Taipei as it
continues to track northwesterly, with maximum sustained wind speed near the
center of 140 km/h and a radius of 350 kilometers.

Offices and schools are closed in most parts of Taiwan, and the typhoon is
affecting travel by land, sea and air.

Typhoon Bavi's storm circle reached Taiwan early this morning and it's
disrupting rail travel.

The Central Weather Bureau says that the eye of the storm will be closest to
Taiwan this afternoon ... and it will be felt most intensely between now and
this evening.

At 6:00 AM, Bavi's center was located around 340 kilometers east of Taipei,
with maximum sustained wind speed near the center of 140 km/h and a radius of
350 kilometers.

Extremely heavy and heavy rainfall warnings are in effect for most areas
north of Hsinchu as well as in mountainous areas around Taichung.

Offices and schools are closed in most parts of Taiwan. They're open in
Taitung and Kinmen.

All regular train services are suspended until noon today. The Taiwan Railway
Administration says all reserved train services will be suspended at least
until 6pm and there are many suspensions for unreserved trains as well.

The high speed rail is running on a limited schedule, with three trains
running per hour in both directions.

The MRT in Taipei is also operating on a limited schedule, with most
above-ground sections NOT operating. The entire brown line is down, as is the
red line from Yuanshan to Tamshui.

The storm is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces
tomorrow morning.

Typhoon Bavi's storm circle has reached Taiwan. The Central Weather Bureau
says that the eye of the storm will be closest to Taiwan this afternoon ...
and it will be felt most intensely between now and this evening.

At 6:00 AM, Bavi's center was located around 340 kilometers east of Taipei,
with maximum sustained wind speed near the center of 140 km/h and a radius of
350 kilometers.

Extremely heavy rainfall warnings are in effect for New Taipei City, Taoyuan
City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, and mountainous areas of Taichung City.
Heavy rain is also expected in areas not previously mentioned and north of
Hsinchu.

The government overnight announced office and school closures for most parts
of Taiwan. Taitung and Kinmen are the only exceptions.

All regular train services are suspended until noon today, while the HSR is
running on a limited schedule.

The MRT in Taipei is also operating on a limited schedule, with most
above-ground sections NOT operating.

The storm is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces
tomorrow morning.

Typhoon Bavi is expected to bring its strongest effects to Taiwan from
tonight through Saturday.

The Central Weather Administration says the storm is moving northwest and is
forecast to pass northeast of Taipei tomorrow afternoon.

Land warnings cover Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu City and
County, Miaoli, Taichung, Nantou, Yilan, Hualien and Taitung.

Northern, northeastern and eastern Taiwan face the greatest risk of strong
winds and heavy rain.

Torrential or extremely torrential rain is possible in northern areas, Yilan
and central mountain regions.

Authorities are urging people to stay away from beaches, rivers, mountain
roads and landslide-prone areas.

Evacuations are underway near the landslide-dammed lake on Wanli Creek in
Hualien.

Standards for work and school closures have been reached in Taichung and
Nantou, while Tainan has confirmed full work and school closures for
Saturday.

Decisions from other cities and counties were still pending at the latest
check.

Meanwhile...transport disruptions are increasing.

Some Taiwan Railways services are canceled, with Saturday morning schedules
due by 9 p.m. tonight.

Major airlines have canceled or reduced flights through the weekend.

Passengers should check directly with airlines before going to the airport.

Danjiang Bridge will close in stages tonight, beginning with pedestrian,
bicycle and motorcycle access at 8 p.m., followed by the main roadway and bus
lanes at 11.

Several mountain roads in Yilan, Hualien and eastern Taiwan are also closing.

Residents should secure loose objects, charge phones, prepare emergency
supplies and continue checking official updates.

More than 20,000 military personnel are on standby for Typhoon Bavi.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo inspected the Defense Ministry's disaster
response center today and ordered regional commands to remain ready to
support local governments.

The military has prepared more than 2,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment,
including amphibious vehicles and inflatable boats.

Troops and machinery have also been pre-positioned in low-lying and high-risk
areas.

Koo says units must closely monitor rainfall, storm damage and risks around a
landslide-dammed lake in Hualien and Taiwan's outlying islands.

Military medical teams are also ready to provide support.

Meanwhile

Taiwan Railways has suspended all tourist trains today as Typhoon Bavi
approaches.

Two services on the Pingxi Line and east coast Train 452 have also been
canceled for their entire routes.

The company says information on trains scheduled before noon tomorrow will be
announced by 9 p.m. tonight.

Passengers with unused tickets for travel during the typhoon sea warning may
request refunds without processing fees.

Refunds can be made at any station within one year of the scheduled travel
date.

Bavi is currently 620 kilomters east of the Eluanbi at the island's
southernmost tip, and is moving in a northwesterly direction at 27 kilometers
an hour.

The storm has a radius of 380-kilometers, and maintains wind speeds of
162-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 198-kilometers-an-hour.

The land warning for Typhoon Bavi has expanded to 12 cities and counties,
including areas north of Taichung, Yilan, Hualien and Taitung.

The storm is expected to come closest to Taiwan from tomorrow afternoon
through the evening, although forecasters say landfall is unlikely.

The Central Weather Administration says the heaviest rain will fall from
tonight through Saturday daytime.

Northern Taiwan, Yilan and mountain areas of central Taiwan could see
torrential or extremely torrential rain.

Forecasters also say wind speeds will intensify progressively as Bavi’s core
edges closer to the coast, with northern and southern coasts feeling the
effects pick up starting early Saturday morning.

An orange alert, meaning wind speeds of up to 62 kilometers per hour, is up
for Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Yilan, Miaoli, Pingtung,
Taitung, and the Matsu Islands.

And a yellow alert, meaning wind speeds up to 39 kilometers per hour is up
for Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien, Penghu,
and Kinmen.

Waves of more than seven meters are possible in northern and eastern waters.

Rain is expected to begin easing tomorrow night.

Taoyuan International Airport Corporation announced that more than 900
flights are canceled over a two-day period.


The airport canceled 153 flights today, and officials expect to cancel
about 760 more flights tomorrow.


Airlines plan to gradually resume operations early Sunday morning as the
typhoon moves away.


Airport officials are advising travelers to check their flight status
before heading to the airport.

Meanwhile high-velocity coastal winds driven by the approaching Typhoon Bavi
have forced the complete suspension of all passenger ferry services to and
from Penghu.

Airlines canceled 28 flights in the area scheduled after 3:00 p-m today.

According to the Penghu Airport Administration, all air travel between the
offshore island and mainland Taiwan will be suspended from late Friday
afternoon.

The Penghu County Government Tourism Department estimated that approximately
3,500 tourists remain on the archipelago.

Bavi is currently 670 kilomters east of the Eluanbi at the island's
southernmost tip, and is moving in a northwesterly direction at 26 kilometers
an hour.

The storm has a radius of 380-kilometers, and maintains wind speeds of
162-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 198-kilometers-an-hour.
 

Both land and sea warnings are now in effect as Typhoon Bavi continues to
approach northern Taiwan.

The land warning currently covers New Taipei, Yilan and Hualien.

The storm is located some 710-kilometers east of Eluanbi at the island's
southernmost tip, and moving in a northwesterly direction at speeds of
between 22 and 26-kilometers-an-hour.

Bavi still has a radius of 380-kilometers, and is packing sustained wind
speeds of 162-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 198-kilometers-an-hour.

The weather administration says Bavi is currently forecast to pass through
waters north of Taiwan, but any slight north-south shifts in its path as it
approaches the island mean that it could still make landfall.

And it's warning that Bavi's size means it will have a significant impact on
Taiwan regardless of whether or not it makes landfall, with the most severe
conditions expected from tonight through tomorrow.

According to the weather administration's latest forecast, cumulative
rainfall from now through Sunday could reach between 60 and 90-centimeters
mountainous areas of New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu County and Miaoli.

Winds are also expected to strengthen as the typhoon approaches Taiwan from
tonight through Saturday.

And the weather administration says sustained winds and gusts of between 75
and 117-kilometers-an-hour are forecast across Taiwan.

Airlines have canceled dozens of domestic and international flights scheduled
for today and tomorrow.

Further disruptions are possible and travelers are being advised to check
with their carriers before heading to the airport.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Railways Administration has announced that all trains
on all lines will be operating regular schedules until 6PM today.

Information about services after 6PM will be announced by the railways
administration before 2PM today and any cancellations or suspension of
services will depend on the latest typhoon developments.

Services on the Taiwan High Speed ​​Rail will be operating normally today,
but the network operator says it will issue an advance notice if any
adjustments are made to its schedule due to the typhoon.

The Taoyuan Airport M-R-T is operating on a holiday timetable, and its
schedule will be adjusted based on the impact of the typhoon.

The Taipei M-R-T is operating on a reduced schedule today - with trains on
most lines running every 12 minutes.

The Central Weather Administration has now issued both land and sea warnings
for Typhoon Bavi.

The land warning currently covers New Taipei, Yilan and Hualien.

Schools and offices are closed today in Keelung, New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan,
Hsinchu, Miaoli, Yilan, Hualien and Matsu due to Typhoon Bavi.

While schools and offices will be closed from 6PM today and all day tomorrow
in Taichung.

The weather administration says Bavi is currently forecast to pass through
waters north of Taiwan, but any slight north-south shifts in its path as it
approaches the island mean that it could still make landfall.

It's warning that Bavi's size means it will have a significant impact on
Taiwan regardless of whether or not it makes landfall, with the most severe
conditions expected from tonight through tomorrow.

The storm is currently located some 750-kilometers east of Eluanbi at the
island's southernmost tip, and moving in a northwesterly direction at speeds
of between 22 and 26-kilometers-an-hour.

Bavi still has a radius of 380-kilometers, and is packing sustained wind
speeds of 162-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 198-kilometers-an-hour.

According to the weather administration's latest forecast, cumulative
rainfall from now through Sunday could reach between 60 and 90-centimeters
mountainous areas of New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu County and Miaoli.

Low-lying areas of New Taipei could see between 50 and 70-centimeters of
rainfall - the highest total forecast for any plains area, while Hsinchu and
Miaoli counties can expect to receive between 40 and 60-centimeters of
rainfall.

Winds are also expected to strengthen as the typhoon approaches Taiwan from
tonight through Saturday.

The weather administration says sustained winds and gusts of between 75 and
117-kilometers-an-hour are forecast across Taiwan.

The weather administration has also issued its first ever "mega wave" warning
since introducing the new alert system this typhoon season.

That warning covers coastal areas of Pingtung, Yilan, Hualien and Taitung.

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.

The Central Weather Administration has updated it's latest information on
Super Typhoon Bavi ...

The storm is still far off and moving towards Taiwan ...

CWA data show the storm is now approximately 870 kilometers east-southeast of
Cape Eluanbi ... moving north-northwest and speeds between 17 and 25
kilometers per hour.

Bavi is still packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 184 kilometers per
hour near its centre ... with gusts of up to 227 kilometers per hour.

Its radius is still massive, spanning 380 kilometers.

In other words, no major changes in the storm's strength and size since the
CWA issued a sea warning for it at 2:30 this afternoon ...

... which remains in effect for the Bashi Channel, as well as waters off
Taiwan's northeast and southeast.

Bavi is still forecast to be nearest to Taiwan tomorrow and on Saturday ...
with the biggest impact exected on Saturday.

A land warning is expected to be issued overnight during early hours -- at
around 2:30 AM to 3:30 AM.

The Central Weather Administration has issued a Sea Warning for Severe
Typhoon Bavi ... which is continuing to draw closer to Taiwan.

According to the weather agency, the storm is located about 920 kilometers
east-southeast of Cape Eluanbi and is moving north-northwest before gradually
turning northwest at 20 to 23 kilometers per hour.

Bavi is packing maximum sustained winds of around 184 kilometers per hour
near its center, with gusts of up to 227 kilometers per hour.

The CWA is urging vessels operating in the Bashi Channel and in waters northeast and southeast of Taiwan to exercise extreme caution..

Forecasters say the storm's outer rainbands will begin bringing strengthening winds and rough seas to areas around the island later today, with increasing rainfall expected across northern and northeastern Taiwan.