At least 15 people have been killed in landslides caused by Typhoon Bavi in the southern Philippines, one of the strongest storms in decades. The typhoon, spanning nearly 1,000 kilometers across the Pacific, is moving toward Taiwan and expected to bring heavy rainfall to northern and eastern Taiwan and parts of Japan before striking southeastern China on Saturday. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, schools closed, and residents have stocked up on supplies as the storm approaches.

In Mindanao, several families were buried overnight as landslides swept through villages, and rescue teams continue searching for the missing. Philippine officials warned that moderate to heavy rain will persist through the weekend. Taiwan’s authorities forecast up to one meter of rainfall and have mobilized 29,000 soldiers for relief operations. The island’s weather bureau described Bavi as the largest storm since 1987.

China has issued warnings of severe impact in Fujian province and beyond, while Japan’s remote islands remain on high alert. Airlines across the region have suspended hundreds of flights, affecting tens of thousands of passengers.