Super Typhoon Bavi Threatens Western Pacific Territories

Residents in Guam and other U.S. island territories in the western Pacific are urged to seek shelter as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches. The cyclone is expected to make landfall early Monday, posing a threat to an area still recovering from another severe storm earlier this year.

Bavi, a formidable cyclone, is moving towards the Mariana Islands located east of the Philippines. It is forecast to hit Rota early Monday morning local time, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Edwin Montvila.

They are currently already encountering catastrophic wind,

Montvila stated regarding Rota, an island home to under 2,000 people northeast of Guam. An extreme wind warning is active for the island.

The cyclone is predicted to reach category five as a super typhoon, with wind speeds potentially hitting 180 miles per hour and gusts of up to 215 miles per hour, Montvila indicated. A satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Typhoon Bavi nearing the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam on Sunday.

Besides Rota, typhoon warnings are in effect for Guam, Tinian, and Saipan. Additional tropical storm warnings and watches are issued for other islands in the vicinity.

This storm arrives only months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the year’s most potent tropical cyclone, which assaulted the region’s islands in April, delivering intense winds and consistent rain. Cyclones earn the ‘super typhoon’ label once they sustain maximum winds of 150 mph or stronger.

Bavi represents an imminent danger to life, Montvila remarked, urging residents to move to interior rooms for shelter and to stay away from windows.

Entering outside can result in death from flying projectiles. Utility poles and associated power lines will be down,

Montvila warned, emphasizing the danger posed by outdoor conditions, advising people to remain inside and secure.

Moving at a relatively brisk speed Monday morning, there is hope Bavi will pass quickly, according to Montvila. Nonetheless, the island may still face tropical storm conditions, including heavy rain, until Monday night. Overnight, the typhoon displayed erratic movement, swerving northward and southward while advancing west toward the islands.

Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero encouraged residents to stay home or in shelters and avoid traveling.

Here we are experiencing another severe force of winds on our island, but as we know, we are always ready and prepared in our planning and our protection of our people,

she declared in a social media video on Sunday.