Super Typhoon Yagi, one of the most powerful storms in recent years, is bearing down on southern China and Vietnam, prompting mass evacuations and widespread disruptions. With wind speeds reaching up to 245 km/h (152 mph), equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane, Yagi is expected to make landfall in China’s Hainan province and neighboring Guangdong on Friday afternoon or evening.The approaching storm has already caused significant disruptions across the region. In Hong Kong, schools have been closed for a second day, flights have been canceled, and the stock exchange has suspended operations. Similar measures have been taken in Macau and parts of Guangdong province. The Chinese government has dispatched task forces to the region to oversee flood and typhoon prevention efforts.In preparation for the storm, Chinese authorities have evacuated nearly 420,000 people from Hainan island alone. The province, known for its beaches and luxury hotels, has closed several tourist sites and imposed restrictions on drivers. Vietnam is also bracing for impact, with plans to evacuate tens of thousands of people from northern and central regions, including the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay.Meteorologists and government officials are warning of the potential for severe flooding and landslides. The Chinese Ministry of Water Resources has raised the emergency alert to the third-highest level in Hainan and Guangdong provinces. In Vietnam, Pham Duc Luan, head of the authority in charge of dike management, stated, ‘This will be the strongest typhoon to hit northern Vietnam in 20 years’.The intensity of Yagi has raised concerns about the increasing strength of tropical storms in the region. Scientists attribute this trend to climate change and warming oceans. As Yagi approaches, authorities continue to urge residents to take necessary precautions and follow evacuation orders.
Key points
- Super Typhoon Yagi, with winds up to 245 km/h, is set to make landfall in southern China on Friday.
- Nearly 420,000 people have been evacuated from Hainan island in China.
- Vietnam is preparing for what could be its strongest typhoon in 20 years.
- The storm’s intensity is linked to climate change and warming oceans.
Contradictions👾While most sources report wind speeds of up to 245 km/h for Typhoon Yagi, one source claims speeds of up to 300 km/h.
