Beijing, July 12 (SANA)Typhoon Bavimade landfall alongChina’s eastern coastlate Saturday, bringing powerful winds and heavy rain to Zhejiang Province after authorities evacuated nearly 1.72 million residents from vulnerable areas.

According to the Zhejiang Provincial Meteorological Observatory, Bavi—the ninth typhoon of the year—made its first landfall at about 11:20 p.m. local time in Yuhuan, a county-level city administered by Taizhou, with maximum sustained winds of 40 meters per second near its center.

Thestormlater made a second landfall shortly after midnight in Yueqing, under the jurisdiction of Wenzhou, before continuing northwest while gradually weakening, the observatory said.

Forecasters warned that the typhoon would bring torrential rainfall to Zhejiang’s coastal, central and southern regions overnight, with western parts of the province expected to experienceheavy to torrential rainon Sunday.

Provincial floodcontrol authorities warned of potential disruptions to transportation, urban services and coastal aquaculture due to strong winds and flooding. They also cautioned against flash floods, landslides, urban inundation, rising river levels and flooding of farmland.

Zhejiang activated its highest-level emergency response for typhoons on Saturday as authorities stepped up disaster prevention measures. Local officials said nearly 1.72 million people had been evacuated to safer areas ahead of the storm’s arrival.

Emergency crewsand volunteers were deployed across affected areas to clear debris, drain floodwaters and respond to storm-related incidents as Typhoon Bavi moved inland.