Evacuations in Guam as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches

Emergency evacuations are underway in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as a major hurricane bears down on the US Pacific territories.

According to the US National Weather Service (NWS), Bavi is forecast to have sustained winds of up to 257 km/h (160 mph) by Monday morning.

It warned that a “very dangerous” storm could cause “catastrophic” damage, with “extreme flooding from heavy rain” and waves of up to 11m (35ft) on Monday.

The western Pacific region is particularly prone to tropical cyclones. While hurricanes of this strength are unusual for the US islands, scientists say climate change is making powerful hurricanes more common.

Bavi is expected to pass directly over Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on Monday afternoon, but the NWS warned that destructive conditions could be expected eight to 10 hours before or after the storm’s center.

“If ordered by local authorities or if your home is vulnerable to high winds or flooding, the window to evacuate is closing quickly,” the agency said, adding that winds “pose a deadly threat to those who venture outside.”

Guam, a mostly sun-drenched tourist destination of about 170,000, opened five evacuation centers in its schools. These sites have about 1,700 high potential sites and are primarily intended for vulnerable people.

The island’s civil defense office said at 13:00 (03:00 GMT) on Sunday that one of the evacuation sites had reached maximum capacity and people were being evacuated.