Super Typhoon Bavi hammered Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on Monday with winds exceeding 150 mph, leaving authorities warning of “imminent danger to life.”
The US National Weather Service confirmed the storm’s eyewall reached Rota, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain, and storm surge across Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.
Meteorologists classified Bavi as a Category 5 super typhoon, with sustained winds of 290 kmph and gusts up to 346 kmph. Officials issued flash flood warnings and extreme wind alerts, urging residents to shelter indoors and treat the conditions as if a tornado were approaching.
The storm is expected to dump more than 20 inches of rain, raising fears of flash floods, landslides, and widespread damage to infrastructure. Utility poles and power lines have already collapsed, and authorities warned that venturing outside could prove fatal due to flying debris.
The Northern Mariana Islands remain vulnerable, still recovering from Super Typhoon Sinlaku that struck three months ago. Many residents in Saipan and Tinian continue to live without power or in temporary shelters. Local officials expressed concern about the timing, noting communities are bracing for another round of devastation.
Religious leaders and government officials emphasised preparedness, acknowledging that frequent typhoons have forced residents to adapt to recurring extreme weather. The storm continues to track toward the Philippines, while neighbouring China and Vietnam remain on high alert for Typhoon Maysak.
