As Typhoon Bavi nears, New Taipei City has initiated precautionary evacuations in several mountainous areas due to the looming threat of torrential rains and landslides. In a decisive move, Mayor Hou You-yi has instructed the evacuation of residents from high-risk zones, focusing on Wulai District, where the likelihood of landslides has been assessed at over 90%. The mayor has set a deadline for these evacuations to be concluded by 6 p.m.

Weather forecasts predict that more than 500 mm of rain will drench the mountainous regions and New Taipei’s northern coastal areas through Saturday. Consequently, landslide alerts have been issued for multiple districts, including Sanxia, Pinglin, Shiding, Xindian, Xizhi, and Shenkeng, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

By Thursday afternoon, Typhoon Bavi was positioned approximately 650 km east of Taiwan’s southernmost point, packing maximum sustained winds reaching 162 km/h. Authorities are calling on residents within the affected locales to stay vigilant, adhere to evacuation orders, and follow all safety directives to minimize potential risks.