Typhoon Bavi forces school, office closures in Beijing, Taipei

Authorities in Beijing and Taipei have shut down parks, offices and suspended in-person school classes due to the arrival of Typhoon Bavi, the most powerful storm in the area in years.

Cities and provinces in northern China are on alert for intense rainfall on Friday as Typhoon Bavi, potentially the most powerful storm the country has seen in years, channelled moisture northward.

In Beijing, authorities issued the highest-level heavy-rain alerts for six of 16 districts, forecasting up to 150 mm of rain within six hours in some areas.

Districts including Miyun and Fangshan on the city's outskirts have shut down in-person school classes and outdoor activities, asking the public to stay indoors from Thursday afternoon, notices showed.

Authorities warned of heightened risks of flash floods, mudslides and landslides on Friday and over the weekend.

Residents of some high-risk areas in Beijing's suburbs were evacuated on Thursday.

Beijing's municipal government have also shut down parks, public events, some construction projects and train services. The neighboring city of Tianjin also issued an alert for heavy rainfall.

Authorities in the provinces of Hebei and Shanxi also issued alerts for downpours and high winds.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, rescuers evacuate stranded residents in the aftermath of tropical storm Maysak in Qinzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Photo by Xinhua via AP

The Taipei city government said on Thursday that offices and schools would shut on Friday due to the arrival of the typhoon, meaning financial markets would also close.

In a separate statement, the Taiwan Stock Exchange said trade would be suspended on Friday, with all settlements due on Friday to be postponed to the next business day.

Extreme rain last July killed at least 60 people in northern China, including over 30 residents at a care home.