A powerful typhoon was heading toward China’s east coast Friday, the latest in a series of deadly storms that have already claimed 50 lives this week in two other parts of the country. Typhoon Bavi, with maximum sustained winds of 155 kph (96 mph), was first expected to pass north of Taiwan, bringing heavy rains to the island of 23 million people from Friday night into Saturday. Schools were closed Friday in Taipei, the island’s capital, and fishing boats have been tied up close together in ports in northern Taiwan. Many flights to Japan, Hong Kong and other destinations have been canceled through Saturday, though some were still scheduled, Taiwan’s Central News Agency said. The typhoon’s current northwest track would take it over some remote Japanese islands before passing north of Taiwan on Saturday. It is forecast to make landfall in China on Saturday night south of Shanghai, near the border between Fujian and Zhejiang provinces.

Full report : China, Taiwan brace for Typhoon Bavi, possibly the most powerful storm in years.