China Evacuates 400,000 as Super Typhoon Yagi Approaches
China is on high alert as Super Typhoon Yagi, one of the most powerful storms of the year, is set to make landfall. The country has already evacuated around 400,000 people from vulnerable areas. Here’s a closer look at the situation and what to expect as the storm approaches.
Mass Evacuations Ahead of Yagi’s Landfall
As Yagi closes in on the popular tourist destination of Hainan, authorities have moved quickly to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. Some 400,000 people have been evacuated, with trains, boats, and flights suspended in the region. Schools remain shut, and officials are urging people to stay indoors as the storm looms closer.
A Storm Growing in Strength
Super Typhoon Yagi, which began its destructive path in the northern Philippines earlier this week, has now doubled in intensity. The storm is currently packing winds of up to 240 km/h (150 mph) near its eye. Meteorologists are warning that the storm could cause catastrophic damage to Hainan and Guangdong, China’s most populous province.
Severe Weather Warnings Across the Region
The Indo-Pacific Tropical Cyclone Warning Center has labeled Yagi as “extremely dangerous,” predicting that its landfall could be “potentially catastrophic.” A super typhoon is equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, making Yagi a storm not to be taken lightly.
In response, all tourist attractions in Hainan have been closed since Wednesday, and authorities have shut down the world’s longest sea crossing—the bridge linking Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai in Guangdong. Heavy rain and strong winds have already started to lash parts of the region, with rainfall expected to reach up to 500mm.
Rare Super Typhoon Hits Hainan
Hainan, known for its sandy beaches and clear waters, is familiar with typhoons, but super typhoons are a rare event. From 1949 to 2023, only nine of the 106 typhoons that made landfall in Hainan were classified as super typhoons. Officials believe Yagi could be the strongest storm to hit the area in a decade.
Vietnam Prepares for Impact
After hitting China, Yagi is expected to weaken before making a second landfall in northern Vietnam on Saturday. Authorities in Vietnam are preparing for the storm by evacuating tens of thousands of people from the provinces of Hai Phong and Thai Binh. By Friday, the military had mobilized 460,000 officers to help with evacuation and storm preparation efforts.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep expressed concern about the storm’s potential impact on regions critical to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, warning that “carelessness could result in catastrophic damage.” In preparation, four airports, including Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, will be closed on Saturday.
Yagi’s Devastation in the Philippines
Earlier this week, Yagi wreaked havoc in the northern Philippines, causing floods and landslides that claimed at least 13 lives. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate as heavy rains and winds devastated homes and infrastructure.
Climate Change and Intensifying Storms
Scientists warn that storms like Yagi are becoming stronger and more frequent due to climate change. Warmer ocean waters are providing storms with more energy, leading to increased wind speeds. In addition, a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall and greater flooding risks.
Aftermath of Typhoon Shanshan
Yagi comes just a week after Typhoon Shanshan struck Japan, leaving six people dead and hundreds injured. As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of storms like these are expected to continue rising, posing significant challenges for countries in the region.