Super typhoon Yagi makes landfall in China, wind gusts up to 245 km/h

With peak winds of 245 km/h near the eye of the storm, Yagi is considered the world's second strongest tropical cyclone so far in 2024, behind Category 5 Hurricane Beryl in the Atlantic.

Having doubled in strength since sweeping across the northern Philippines earlier this week, Yagi is expected to make landfall on China's coast from Wenchang in Hainan to Leizhou in Guangdong by Friday afternoon.

Earlier, strong winds and rain accompanied by thunder and lightning appeared across the area on Thursday night and early Friday morning.

Workers preparing for Typhoon Yagi stack sandbags at Binhai Port on September 4 in Haikou, Hainan. Photo: Luo Yunfei/China News Service

Transport links across southern China were largely shut on Friday, with many flights cancelled in Hainan, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. The world's longest sea route, the bridge connecting Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai in Guangdong, was also closed.

In the financial hub of Hong Kong, the stock exchange was closed while schools remained closed. "Large rain bands associated with Yagi will bring heavy showers to the area," the Hong Kong Observatory said, warning people to stay away from the coast.

The Chinese government has sent special forces to Guangdong and Hainan to guide flood and typhoon prevention, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Super Typhoon Yagi making landfall in Hainan is rare, as most typhoons that hit the island are classified as weak. Between 1949 and 2023, 106 typhoons made landfall in Hainan, but only nine were classified as super typhoons.

Typhoons are becoming more powerful, fueled by warmer oceans as climate change impacts. Last week, Typhoon Shanshan slammed into southwestern Japan, the strongest storm to hit the country in decades.

Hoang Anh (according to Xinhua News Agency, SCMP, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/sieu-bao-yagi-do-bo-vao-trung-quoc-nhieu-canh-bao-duoc-dua-ra-khi-gio-giat-toi-245-km-h-post310823.html