Southern China remains on high alert this week as the remnants of Typhoon "Maysak" continue to bring torrential rain. Meanwhile, a second and more powerful storm, Typhoon "Bavi," is churning toward China's eastern seaboard on a highly uncertain track.
Photo: Guangzhou Daily
Over the past weekend, Maysak became the first typhoon to make landfall in China this year. It struck Lingshui in Hainan Province on the evening of July 3. The storm then crossed Hainan Island into the Beibu Gulf before making a second landfall in Vietnam's Quang Ninh Province on the night of July 4. It then moved into the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region early on July 5.
Though downgraded, Maysak's residual vortex is now moving northeastward along the edge of the subtropical high, drawing in abundant moisture. Heavy to extreme rainfall is forecast from Guangxi to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River through July 7 and July 8. Some areas are expected to experience localized torrential downpours.
Guangdong braces for more flooding
Although Guangdong Province was spared a direct hit, it has been experiencing intermittent heavy rainfall from Maysak's outer bands. According to the provincial weather service, the combined effects of the typhoon's outer circulation and the ensuing monsoon flow are expected to cause heavy to torrential rainfall in central and western parts of the province on July 6–7.
- July 6: Shaoguan, Qingyuan, western Guangdong, and the Pearl River Delta are expected to experience heavy to torrential rain, with isolated areas receiving extreme downpours. Other regions will have scattered thundershowers.
- July 7: Similar conditions are expected, with heavy rain continuing across the same regions.
- July 8: Western Guangdong and the Pearl River Delta will receive moderate to heavy rain, while other areas will be cloudy with intermittent showers.
- Guangzhou city is expected to see steady rainfall through July 9–10, after which weather conditions are forecast to gradually improve.
Authorities have warned of flood risks, landslide hazards, and severe convective weather. They have urged residents to strictly adhere to disaster-prevention measures.
"Bavi" looms: a larger, more powerful threat
Adding to the concern is Typhoon "Bavi" (the 9th named storm of the season), which maintained super typhoon intensity on July 5. It features a well-defined eye and a strikingly large, symmetrical cloud shield, noticeably bigger than Maysak's.
Photo: Xin Xin Weibo account
According to Xin Xin, chief analyst at China Weather Network, Bavi's future path remains highly uncertain. Its trajectory will also depend largely on the position of the subtropical high.
Photo: Xin Xin Weibo account
- Scenario A: If an upper-level trough slightly weakens the subtropical high on July 7–8 and the high rebounds northward on July 9–10, Bavi may develop a more northerly component near Taiwan, potentially veering away from the island and heading directly toward Zhejiang Province.
- Scenario B: If the subtropical high remains strong, the typhoon is expected to maintain a more westerly track, likely hitting Taiwan first, then Fujian.
Regardless of the scenario, meteorologists agree that Bavi is expected to have a significant impact on China's southeastern or eastern coast. "The track is still evolving, so the public should follow the latest forecasts closely," Xin said.
Ongoing vigilance urged
With back-to-back storm systems affecting vast areas from Hainan to the Yangtze Delta, emergency management agencies have reiterated calls for flood preparedness. They have also urged residents to seek shelter in safe buildings and avoid low-lying and mountainous regions. Shipping and fishing operations along the southern and eastern coasts are also being closely monitored.
Detailed 7-day forecast for the Guangzhou urban area
Issued by Guangzhou Meteorological Observatory at 16:00 on July 5, 2026
(Validity period: 20:00 from the previous day to 20:00 of the indicated date)
Author | Jiang Chang
