Super Typhoon Bavi Heads Toward Eastern China — Landfall Expected July 11, Flooding and Tornadoes Already Killing 17 (2026)
Super Typhoon Bavi is forecast to make landfall in eastern China around July 11, 2026, after tornadoes and flooding in central and southern China have already killed at least 17 people. Foreign travelers in or heading to Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, and surrounding provinces must prepare for flight cancellations, train suspensions, and hotel disruptions.
Key takeaway
Super Typhoon Bavi — the second super typhoon of the 2026 Pacific season — is forecast to make landfall in eastern China around July 11, 2026, after its outer bands have already spawned deadly tornadoes killing 17 people and flooding that killed 15 more in central and southern China. Foreign travelers in Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu, and surrounding provinces should expect flight cancellations at major airports including Shanghai Pudong (PVG), high-speed train suspensions, and possible hotel evacuations starting July 9–10. Postpone non-essential travel to eastern China until at least July 14–15.
Full report
What Changed
Super Typhoon Bavi rapidly intensified in the Philippine Sea over the weekend of July 5–6, 2026, reaching super typhoon status as it tracked northwest. According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Bavi is an "extremely powerful tropical cyclone" — the fourteenth tropical depression, ninth named storm, and second super typhoon of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season.
On Monday, July 6, 2026, Bavi made landfall on United States territorial islands in the western Pacific before shifting northwest toward Taiwan and mainland China. As reported by Al Jazeera, tornadoes spawned by the storm's outer bands tore through central China on July 7, 2026, killing 17 people in what local authorities described as unusually severe pre-typhoon weather.
Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms and flooding across central and southern China have claimed at least 15 additional lives, injured 275 people, and left 9 missing as of July 7, 2026, according to the Reuters report. Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) warns that floodwaters "look set to expand to other provinces with the imminent arrival of Super Typhoon Bavi."
The Zoom Earth storm tracker shows Bavi maintaining a west-northwest trajectory, with its center forecast to pass just northeast of Taiwan around July 11 at 06:00 UTC before making landfall on the eastern coast of mainland China — likely affecting Zhejiang, Fujian, or Shanghai provinces.
What to do next
- Contact your airline immediately via app or WeChat to check flight status and rebooking options. 2. Download the 12306 English app and register now for train backup options inland. 3. Contact your travel insurance provider to confirm weather-disruption coverage. 4. If you are in an affected area, pack an emergency go-bag with passport, phone charger, RMB cash, water, and snacks.
What may vary
Typhoon paths can shift by 100–200 km in 24 hours. The exact landfall location (Zhejiang vs. Fujian vs. Shanghai direct hit) and intensity at landfall determine disruption severity. This article will be updated as JTWC and CMA release new forecasts.
FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Shanghai this week?
No. Super Typhoon Bavi is forecast to make landfall in eastern China around July 11, 2026. Flight cancellations, train suspensions, and severe weather begin 24–48 hours before landfall. Postpone non-essential travel until at least July 14–15.
Will my flight to Shanghai be cancelled?
Almost certainly yes. During Typhoon Maysak (July 3, 2026), Sanya airport cancelled 92 flights by midday. Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao airports are expected to suspend all operations. Contact your airline now for rebooking.
How do I get emergency help as a foreigner during a typhoon in China?
Call 110 (police), 120 (ambulance), or 12301 (national tourism hotline). Contact your embassy or consulate — most maintain emergency phone lines in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.
Is it safe to travel to Shanghai, Hangzhou, or Xiamen this week (July 8–14, 2026)?
No. The China Meteorological Administration and JTWC both forecast Super Typhoon Bavi making landfall in eastern China around July 11, 2026. Severe weather — including flight cancellations, train suspensions, and flooding — is expected to begin 24–48 hours before landfall. Postpone non-essential travel to the region until at least July 14–15.
Will my flight to Shanghai be cancelled if Typhoon Bavi hits?
Almost certainly yes. Based on precedent from Typhoon Maysak (July 2026), airports in the direct path suspend all operations. Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) are both expected to cancel flights. Contact your airline now for rebooking options — seats on post-storm flights fill quickly.