Super Typhoon Yagi Strikes Northern Vietnam: A Record Storm for Asia This Year
Super Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia in 2023, has made its devastating landfall in northern Vietnam. The storm, which impacted Hai Phong and Quang Ninh provinces, brought ferocious winds of up to 203 km/h (126 mph) early Saturday morning, according to cyclone tracking authorities.
In Hai Phong, eyewitness reports noted metal roof sheets and commercial signage being uprooted and sent flying amid the intense winds. Prior to its impact in Vietnam, Yagi wreaked havoc on Hainan Island in China, a popular tourist destination, resulting in at least three fatalities and nearly 100 injuries.
Hai Phong, a bustling coastal city with a population of two million, is grappling with the full force of the storm. Power outages have struck numerous areas, affecting multiple multinational factories, while operations at four northern airports have been suspended throughout the day. Authorities have carried out evacuations, moving nearly 50,000 residents from coastal towns and issuing advisories for the public to stay indoors.
In preparation for Yagi’s arrival, 12 northern provinces, including the capital city of Hanoi, have closed schools to ensure the safety of students. Meanwhile, in response to the storm, Hainan Island saw the evacuation of approximately 400,000 residents, with transportation services and schools suspended ahead of the impending danger.
Reports from local media revealed widespread power outages affecting around 830,000 households in the region, with agricultural losses also mounting due to the storm’s destruction. Disturbing videos captured in Hainan showcased intense wind damage, including windows being torn from buildings.
Yagi ranks as the second strongest typhoon of the year, having doubled in intensity since impacting the northern Philippines just days earlier. In that region, floods and landslides triggered by the storm have led to the deaths of at least 13 individuals and displaced thousands.
Experts warn that the increasing strength and frequency of typhoons and hurricanes are directly linked to climate change. Warmer ocean waters empower storms with greater energy, leading to heightened wind speeds and intensified rainfall as a warmer atmosphere retains more moisture.
