Super Typhoon Yagi Hits China, Sparks Mass Evacuations

A notorious tropical storm has struck a famous island just south of China, bringing ferocious winds and relentless rain, marking the most severe storm in the last 10 years. Super Typhoon Yagi roared into the city of Wenchang, on the northeastern edge of Hainan Island, with wind speeds hitting 223 km/h (138 mph) on Friday afternoon. The storm’s force and timing make it the strongest autumn typhoon to hit the region in recent memory, surpassing Typhoon Rammasun from 2014, which claimed dozens of lives.

In preparation for the storm, authorities moved around 400,000 people to safer locations. Travel throughout the island was brought to a standstill, with flights, trains, and boats cancelled, and schools shuttered. The region is now bracing for what may be widespread damage and flooding.

Typhoon Yagi Threatens Southern China with Devastating Winds and Heavy Rainfall

After intensifying significantly following its destructive impact in the northern Philippines earlier this week, Typhoon Yagi has become the second most powerful storm to form this year. Experts are warning that Yagi could unleash severe devastation in Hainan and nearby Guangdong province, China’s most populous region.

The Indo-Pacific Tropical Cyclone Warning Center issued a stark advisory on Thursday, labelling Yagi as an “extremely dangerous and potent” typhoon that poses a “grave threat” upon making landfall. With wind speeds equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, Yagi’s arrival could bring widespread destruction across the impacted areas.

Hainan Closes Tourist Sites Ahead of Powerful Typhoon 

Authorities have ordered the closure of all tourist sites across Hainan since Wednesday, citing the threat of “severe and destructive winds.” Known for its pristine beaches, high-end resorts, and duty-free shopping, the island has earned the nickname “China’s Hawaii.”

Meanwhile, the world’s longest sea bridge, connecting Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai in Guangdong, has also been shut down as a precaution. The region has already been hit by heavy rain and powerful winds since Thursday, with forecasts predicting rainfall totals could reach up to 500mm.

While Hainan is accustomed to typhoons, only nine out of the 106 typhoons that have made landfall on the island since 1949 were classified as super typhoons, according to a report from Reuters. Chinese officials expect Yagi to be the most powerful storm to strike the southern coast in the past 10 years.

Typhoon Yagi to Impact Northern Vietnam; Evacuations Underway

Typhoon Yagi is not only threatening China but is also anticipated to reach northern Vietnam by late Saturday, albeit with reduced intensity. Local authorities, according to AFP, are in the process of relocating tens of thousands of people from Hai Phong and Thai Binh provinces to safer areas by Friday.

Reports from Vietnamese media indicate that the military has deployed approximately 460,000 personnel to manage the storm’s potential impact. Government officials are expressing concerns about the storm affecting key areas that are vital for the region’s economic growth, stressing that any lapses in preparation could lead to severe damage.

Airports Closed in Vietnam as Typhoon Yagi Follows Devastating Storms in the Region

Vietnam’s civil aviation authority announced the closure of four northern airports, including Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, on Saturday due to the approaching storm. Earlier this week, Typhoon Yagi triggered deadly floods and landslides in the northern Philippines, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and forcing thousands to evacuate.

Experts warn that climate change is driving the increasing intensity and frequency of typhoons and hurricanes. Warmer ocean temperatures are fueling storms with more energy, leading to stronger winds, while a warmer atmosphere carries more moisture, contributing to heavier rainfall.

Yagi’s arrival comes just a week after Typhoon Shanshan struck Japan, leaving at least six dead and hundreds injured.