China has raised its emergency response to Level II after Typhoon Bavi strengthened in the East China Sea and made consecutive landfalls in Zhejiang province, triggering widespread transport disruptions, port closures and hundreds of flight cancellations across eastern China and Hong Kong.
China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters upgraded its emergency response from Level III to Level II late on 11 July after the storm intensified and struck Zhejiang shortly before midnight.
The higher alert activated round-the-clock command centres in Beijing and the coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian, mobilising more than 110,000 police, border-inspection and customs officers to keep critical ports, airports and expressways operating where conditions allow while protecting public safety.
Asia’s busiest cargo port suspends operations
Authorities ordered shipping operations to stop at Ningbo-Zhoushan, Asia’s busiest cargo port, as Typhoon Bavi approached the coast. Container terminals secured gantry cranes, suspended cargo handling and sealed hazardous-goods storage areas to reduce the risk of storm damage.
Customs authorities were instructed to prioritise clearance for perishable cargo and emergency relief supplies while temporarily delaying inspections of non-essential outbound freight to speed up recovery once port operations resume.
Hong Kong International Airport cancels more than 130 flights
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was unusually quiet on Saturday evening as airlines cancelled 64 inbound and 71 outbound flights after Typhoon Bavi’s outer rainbands began affecting the territory.
According to the airport’s live operations page, most cancellations involved services between Hong Kong and Taiwan, including Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung. Flights to Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, Shanghai and Hangzhou were also cancelled as airlines adjusted schedules ahead of deteriorating weather conditions.
Passengers have been advised to check the latest flight status with their airline before travelling to the airport, as additional delays and cancellations remain possible while the storm moves through the region.
Visa relief introduced for stranded travellers
The Level II emergency response also activated temporary immigration measures for foreign travellers unable to leave China because of cancelled flights or suspended ferry services.
Authorities announced automatic extensions of port visas and 144-hour transit visa exemptions for eligible travellers affected by the disruption. Passengers are required to report to their local immigration office within 10 days after normal transport services resume.
Flooding threat continues inland
Although Typhoon Bavi is forecast to weaken over the next 36 hours, Chinese authorities warned that prolonged heavy rainfall could continue to cause significant flooding.
Forecasters expect rising water levels in tributaries of the Qiantang and Min rivers, increasing the risk of flooding and potential disruption to road and rail freight serving major inland manufacturing hubs.
Emergency services remain on high alert as officials continue monitoring river levels, transport infrastructure and weather conditions while recovery operations begin in affected coastal areas.
