Residents of Guam and nearby U.S. island territories in the western Pacific have been advised to find shelter as Super Typhoon Bavi is set to make landfall early Monday. This warning comes as the region is still recovering from a previous destructive storm earlier this year.
Super Typhoon Bavi, a large cyclone moving towards the Mariana Islands, is expected to hit Rota early Monday morning, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Edwin Montvila. He stated, “They are currently already encountering catastrophic wind,” referring to Rota, which has a population of fewer than 2,000 people and is located northeast of Guam. An extreme wind warning is in effect for the island.
The typhoon is predicted to be a category five storm, with winds reaching up to 180 miles per hour and gusts of 215 miles per hour. A satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on July 5, 2026, shows Typhoon Bavi nearing Guam.
Additional typhoon warnings are in place for Guam, Tinian, and Saipan, while tropical storm warnings and watches are issued for other islands in the region. This storm follows Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which was the strongest tropical cyclone of the year and struck the area in April, bringing harsh winds and rain.
A cyclone is classified as a super typhoon when it has maximum sustained winds of at least 150 mph. Montvila warned, “Bavi posed an imminent danger to life,” advising residents to move to safer interior rooms and avoid windows. He emphasized, “Entering outside can result in death from flying projectiles. Utility poles and power lines will be down,” warning people to stay indoors for safety.
— NWS Guam 🇬🇺 (@NWSGuam) July 5, 2026
Bavi is advancing swiftly, which raises hope that the storm may pass quickly. However, due to its size, the islands are expected to experience tropical storm conditions, including heavy rain, throughout Monday night. Montvila noted that the typhoon exhibited erratic behavior overnight as it moved towards the islands.
Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero appealed to residents to stay indoors or in shelters, avoiding roads. She reassured, “Here we are experiencing another severe force of winds on our island, but as we know, we are always ready and prepared in our planning and our protection of our people.” Her message was shared in a social media video on Sunday.
Leave a Reply