WELLINGTON, July 6 (Reuters) - Super Typhoon Bavi was crossing the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean on Monday, lashing Guam, Tinian and Saipan and blasting Rota with catastrophic winds, the U.

Bavi, a massive cyclone approaching the Mariana Islands east of the Philippines, was forecast to strike Rota early Monday morning local time.

Super Typhoon “Bavi,” currently outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), can be compared to Super Typhoon “Haiyan” or “Yolanda,” which

Super Typhoon Bavi had made its closest point of approach to Guam, according to a 3:10 p.m. release from the Joint Information Center.

Super Typhoon Bavi slammed Rota with estimated 180 mph winds Monday morning, placing the island under catastrophic conditions as Guam, Tinian and Saipan endured strong tropical storm to Category 1