Taiwan has stepped up preparations as Typhoon Bavi approaches the main island by suspending ferry services to smaller offshore islands, preparing traffic restrictions and offering flexible airline ticket changes.

As of July 8, according to Focus Taiwan, Bavi was about 850 miles off Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan's southernmost point and moving in a west-north-west direction at around 12mph.

Central Weather Administration data reportedly showed maximum sustained winds of 134mph near its centre, as the storm’s radius reached nearly 240 miles - a distance almost identical to the length of Taiwan from its northern tip to its southern shores.

On its current course it will pass by the northern Philippines and over remote Japanese islands before the storm's eye is forecast to pass just north-east of Taiwan.

Preparations for the arrival of Typhoon Bavi include suspension of ferry services in eastern Taiwan to offshore islands as well as on the Keelung-Matsu Islands route to the northwest of Taiwan’s main island.

Along the east coast there are reports of farmers rushing to bring in crops with Focus Taiwan adding that in Taitung County on the southeast coast of Taiwan, banana farmers have been rushing to harvest their fruit ahead of the storm’s arrival.

Traditional morning markets and supermarkets are also reporting a 30% increase in shoppers stocking up on supplies with long lines seen at supermarkets in the nation’s largest city of New Taipei.

In the capital Taipei meanwhile, the local city government's weather team expects the capital to enter Bavi's storm circle at about 8pm on Friday, July 10 according to reports, with the heaviest rain and strongest winds forecast from late on July 10 until late on July 11.