Belizeans in Taiwan Brace for Typhoon Bavi

Typhoon Bavi is rapidly approaching Taiwan at a speed of about 27 kilometers per hour with the potential for up to 700 millimeters of rainfall in the span of 24 hours. Forecasters say the storm is expected to pass through waters just north of Taiwan rather than making direct landfall, though its sheer size means a significant impact is expected regardless of its exact path.

With Bavi expected to have its most severe impact today into tomorrow, many Belizeans living in Taiwan, including students, have stocked up on supplies and are sheltering indoors as the country braces for what could be one of its most significant storms in decades.

We spoke with Nay Smith, a Belizean currently in Taiwan, about how she’s experiencing the storm. “The embassy response has been really good. They have been keeping us updated, and I’m pretty sure they will message later to check on us. What’s disappointing is the rain; I expected much more, provided that it was marked as one of the heaviest ones ever since I don’t remember which year. The night market was half open and the morning one too.”

Work and classes have been suspended across Taipei and other cities. Nearly 29,000 troops have been placed on standby nationwide to support flood prevention and rescue operations.

Central Weather Administration forecasters have described Bavi as the largest storm by size to hit Taiwan since 1987, calling storms of this scale rare in recent years. The comparison has been enough to prompt widespread preparation across the island, even among areas outside the storm’s most direct path.