A powerful typhoon has struck a popular tourist destination south of mainland China, bringing potentially catastrophic winds and heavy rainfall.
Super Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Wenchang city on Hainan Island, with wind speeds reaching up to 223 km/h (138 mph) at 4:00 PM local time on Friday. This storm is previously noted as the strongest to impact Hainan since Typhoon Rammasun in 2014, which resulted in significant loss of life. According to meteorological authorities, Yagi is categorized as the most potent typhoon to hit during the autumn season in recent years.
In anticipation of Yagi’s arrival, approximately 400,000 residents were evacuated to safer locations. Public transportation services, including trains, boats, and flights, have been halted, and schools are closed.
Typhoon Yagi, having intensified after causing major disruptions in the northern Philippines earlier this week, is currently recognized as the second-strongest typhoon of the year. Meteorologists warn that it could inflict “catastrophic” damage in both Hainan and neighboring Guangdong, China’s most populous province.
Designated as an “extremely dangerous and powerful” super typhoon, Yagi’s landfall is expected to have severe consequences, with comparisons made to a Category 5 hurricane. Following its impact, Hainan has experienced widespread power failures affecting approximately 830,000 households, although emergency teams have restored electricity to over 260,000 homes by Friday evening.
Authorities ordered the closure of all tourist attractions from Wednesday, citing risks from “massive and destructive winds.” Widely dubbed “China’s Hawaii,” Hainan is known for its scenic white sand beaches and luxury resorts.
The storm has also affected transportation infrastructure, with the main bridge connecting Hong Kong to Macau and Zhuhai being closed. Following its initial landfall, Yagi re-struck Guangdong later on Friday with winds exceeding 200 km/h, raising concerns about heavy rainfall, projected to reach up to 500 mm.
Historically, Hainan has faced numerous typhoons; however, only nine of the 106 storms to affect the island since 1949 have been classified as super typhoons. Authorities assert that Yagi represents the most severe typhoon to hit China’s southern coast in ten years.
In Hong Kong, local stock exchange trading has been halted alongside school closures due to extreme weather conditions, though overall damages remain limited with several reported injuries.
Looking ahead, Yagi is expected to make landfall in northern Vietnam on Saturday, albeit at a diminished strength. Local authorities anticipate evacuating tens of thousands from the provinces of Hai Phong and Thai Binh as precautionary measures.
Reports indicate the mobilization of approximately 460,000 military personnel to assist in managing the storm’s effects. Vietnam’s deputy agriculture minister warned that Yagi could impact vital socio-economic areas, emphasizing the need for caution against potential catastrophic outcomes.
In recent days, Typhoon Yagi has already caused flooding and landslides in the northern Philippines, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and forcing thousands to evacuate.
Experts are increasingly observing that climate change contributes to the intensification and frequency of such storms, as warmer ocean temperatures fuel greater energy, leading to increased wind speeds and rainfall. Just a week earlier, Typhoon Shanshan struck Japan, causing fatalities and injuries.
