Super Typhoon Bavi has battered Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands after making landfall as a powerful Category 5 tropical cyclone, bringing catastrophic winds, torrential rainfall and widespread damage across the western Pacific.
The storm crossed the Mariana Islands early Monday local time, with the eye passing directly over the island of Rota before continuing west-northwest. At landfall, Bavi was packing sustained winds of around 290 km/h (180 mph), with wind gusts estimated to reach 346 km/h (215 mph) in the most intense parts of the eyewall.
The most severe conditions were experienced on the island of Rota, home to approximately 2,000 residents, where the eyewall made landfall shortly after dawn.
⚠️ Super Typhoon #Bavi has reached an incredible 285 km/h (180 mph), pressure down to 901 hPa.
— Zoom Earth (@zoom_earth) July 5, 2026
The typhoon is forecast to directly strike the island of Rota, Northern Mariana Islands in the next few hours. pic.twitter.com/hU7vTTKd44
The U.S. National Weather Service described the storm as “catastrophically destructive,” warning that conditions would be unsurvivable outdoors during the passage of the eyewall.
WATCH: Winds ripping through the island of Rota as the eyewall of Super Typhoon #Bavi passes over.
— Scott (@RandomHeroWX) July 6, 2026
🎥: Masum Bhali pic.twitter.com/t9764SwGt2
Initial reports indicate significant structural damage across the island, including major impacts to government buildings. Power outages and communications disruptions have also been reported.
Although Rota received the direct landfall, the neighbouring islands of Guam, Saipan and Tinian also endured severe typhoon conditions.
Strong winds uprooted trees, damaged buildings and scattered debris across roads, while heavy rainfall caused flooding in low-lying areas. Widespread power outages were reported across Guam and Saipan as emergency crews remained sheltered during the height of the storm.
SCENES FROM ISLANDS OF THE NORTHERN MARSHALL ISLANDS AND GUAM OF SUPER TYPHOON BAVI
— WW3 Monitor (@WW3_Monitor) July 6, 2026
🇲🇵🇬🇺‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/SZMedkmC1L
Authorities warned residents to remain indoors until conditions improved, stressing that even after the eye passed, dangerous winds and flying debris would continue.
Emergency shelters across the islands filled rapidly as residents sought refuge, particularly those living in vulnerable housing still recovering from previous tropical cyclones earlier this year.
Beyond the destructive winds, Bavi is producing exceptional rainfall across the Mariana Islands.
Forecast totals of 300 to 500 mm (12 to 20 inches) are expected near the storm’s track through Tuesday, significantly increasing the threat of flash flooding, landslides and rapidly rising streams.
Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid floodwaters and remain alert for emergency warnings as runoff continues after the strongest winds subside.
The affected islands host several strategically important U.S. military facilities, including Andersen Air Force Base, Naval Base Guam and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz.
Military installations suspended non-essential operations ahead of the storm, with only essential personnel remaining on duty while emergency response plans were activated.
WATCH: The ISS passes over Super Typhoon #Bavi.
— Scott (@RandomHeroWX) July 6, 2026
🎥: @NASA pic.twitter.com/1s8y50wZDv
After moving away from the Mariana Islands, Bavi is forecast to continue tracking west-northwest across the western Pacific over the coming days while maintaining super typhoon intensity.
Current forecast guidance suggests the cyclone will gradually turn northwest around July 10, passing north of Taiwan before approaching eastern China between July 12 and 14.
While confidence remains high that the storm will stay north of the Philippines, forecasters caution that subtle changes in the position of the subtropical ridge could still influence its eventual path.
Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting is closely monitoring Bavi despite forecasts indicating that the cyclone is unlikely to enter the East Sea (South China Sea).
Current guidance places the probability of such a track at below 10%.
However, Bavi’s enormous circulation is expected to strengthen the southwest monsoon later this week. Between July 9 and 11, strong southwesterly winds of Force 6 to 7 are forecast across large portions of the East Sea, including waters surrounding the Paracel and Spratly Islands.
Wave heights of 3 to 5 metres are expected to create hazardous marine conditions, with rough seas posing a risk to shipping and fishing operations across the region.
Maysak Weakens as Recovery Continues
As attention turns to Bavi, Tropical Storm Maysak has weakened into a tropical depression after moving inland over southern China.
Although the storm is no longer expected to affect Vietnam directly, its residual moisture continues to produce heavy rainfall across northern provinces, where flash flood and landslide warnings remain in effect.
Recovery operations are also continuing in Quang Ninh Province after Maysak caused flooding, wind damage and power outages over the weekend.
Emergency officials say protecting lives remains the highest priority as authorities continue monitoring both ongoing flood risks and the future track of Super Typhoon Bavi.
