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Typhoon Bavi Capsizes Ship, 1 Dead, 5 Missing

7/4/2026

32 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The cargo ship MV Mariana capsized as Typhoon Bavi approached, killing one crew member and five missing.
Typhoon Bavi, with 161 mph winds, is projected by the Typhoon Warning Center to peak at 173 mph in 36 hours before wind shear causes weakening.
Guam and Saipan residents have boarded up windows, stocked supplies and secured gasoline, while scientists link El Niño and record-warm June oceans to stronger storms and flash-flood risk.

History

Historical Context

In December 1997 super-typhoon Paka ripped through Guam, destroying roughly 1,500 buildings and prompting a federal disaster declaration that spurred stricter building codes. FEMA later provided aid to rebuild. The 1997-98 El Niño, which amplified Paka’s intensity, returned in June 2023, heating Pacific waters and fueling Typhoon Bavi’s 161 mph gusts and the capsizing of cargo ship MV Mariana.

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Story summary

The cargo ship MV Mariana capsized as Typhoon Bavi approached, killing one crew member and five missing.
Typhoon Bavi, with 161 mph winds, is projected by the Typhoon Warning Center to peak at 173 mph in 36 hours before wind shear causes weakening.
Guam and Saipan residents have boarded up windows, stocked supplies and secured gasoline, while scientists link El Niño and record-warm June oceans to stronger storms and flash-flood risk.

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