New Jersey Heatwave Death Toll Rises to 19 as Typhoon Bavi Hits Pacific

US Heatwave Claims 19 Lives in New Jersey; Typhoon Bavi Batters Rota

New Jersey:  New Jersey has recorded 19 deaths linked to the severe heatwave affecting large parts of the United States, while Typhoon Bavi struck the Pacific island of Rota with destructive winds.

New Jersey Health Commissioner Raynard Washington said several of the victims were found inside homes without air conditioning, while others were discovered outdoors, including on streets and inside parked vehicles.

The US National Weather Service (NWS) said heat warnings covering extremely high and dangerous temperatures remained in effect for around 160 million people, urging residents to stay indoors, drink plenty of water, check on vulnerable neighbours and seek air-conditioned locations where possible.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill described the heatwave as the longest period of dangerously high temperatures experienced by the state in more than 14 years.

Meteorologists attributed the prolonged heat to a heat dome, a weather pattern in which high atmospheric pressure traps hot air near the surface, resulting in sustained high temperatures.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Bavi, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, made landfall on the US island of Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands, packing winds of up to 290 kilometres per hour.

The National Weather Service urged residents to take immediate shelter, warning that the powerful winds posed an imminent threat to life and property.

Local authorities on Rota, which has a population of around 1,500, reported extensive damage to buildings, while neighbouring Guam was forecast to receive between 20 and 30 centimetres of rainfall, raising the risk of flash flooding.

The National Weather Service warned that much of Rota could become uninhabitable for weeks if the typhoon causes widespread destruction, noting that many non-concrete structures are at risk of severe damage or collapse.

Typhoon Bavi struck less than three months after Super Typhoon Senlaku hit the region in April, causing widespread power outages, structural damage and significant disruption.