Washington, DC – Residents of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are on edge as Super Hurricane Bavi approaches, threatening these US territories in the Pacific with unprecedented winds and destructive power. The storm arrives as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that the El Niño weather phenomenon has already begun in the tropical Pacific and is intensifying, further exacerbating the region’s weather disturbances.
Category 5 destructive power
In the early hours of this morning, weather data indicates that Hurricane Bavi is moving westward toward the Marshall Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. It has also been officially classified as a “super hurricane,” with sustained winds of 259 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 314 kilometers per hour. This is equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, the highest and most destructive category.
State of high alert and readiness
Preparations are accelerating in Saipan and the Northern Mariana Islands. Long lines of cars are forming at gas stations, and supermarket shelves are emptying of basic food items and bottled water. Meanwhile, residents are rushing to buy plywood and other reinforcement materials to protect their homes from the high winds.
The US National Weather Service confirmed that the hurricane’s projected path poses “a worrying possibility for the Mariana Islands.” Residents of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands were warned to prepare for at least severe tropical storm conditions. The hurricane is expected to make landfall on these islands early Monday morning.
A recurring nightmare every two months
These developments come amid a climate of shock, as the region was devastated just weeks ago by Typhoon Sinlaku in April, which uprooted trees, overturned vehicles, ripped roofs off buildings, and left tens of thousands without power. Residents are expressing their long-standing anxiety about this phenomenon. “Two super typhoons in two months—it’s historic,” said one Saipan resident, covering his windows. “We’ve never seen anything like this before.”
These weather threats have prompted emergency measures. Authorities have been forced to postpone preparations for the 250th anniversary celebrations of the United States Declaration of Independence, which were scheduled for today. This was done to prioritize protection and prevention measures against the massive hurricane.
Statistics indicate that this threatened area is home to approximately 40,000 people in the Northern Mariana Islands, while around 170,000 live on the neighboring island of Guam. Authorities are now intensifying their efforts to evacuate families in low-lying areas and secure shelters in a race against time before the powerful winds hit the islands’ coastlines. This comes amidst international and local calls for caution and vigilance due to the severe weather conditions brought about by El Niño.
