As Super Typhoon Yagi continues to gain strength, the massive storm is poised to make landfall on China's southern coast, putting the popular tourist destination of Hainan Island, often referred to as "China's Hawaii," directly in its path. Yagi, which has rapidly intensified to pack winds of up to 240 kph (150 mph), now threatens to bring widespread devastation to the region, prompting emergency measures across China and neighboring territories.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Yagi is currently classified as a high-end Category 4 Atlantic Hurricane, just shy of the catastrophic Category 5 status. The storm's intensification has been fueled by the warm waters of the South China Sea, and it is expected to reach its peak strength as it approaches Hainan, where it is forecasted to make landfall by Friday evening.
In preparation for the storm, authorities in Hainan have escalated their emergency response to the highest level, suspending all intercity bus services, train routes, and flights scheduled after 8 p.m. on Thursday. The island's government has also ordered the closure of all tourist attractions and advised residents to brace for "massive and destructive" winds. Residents have been seen reinforcing their homes, taping windows, and placing sandbags around doors in anticipation of severe flooding and wind damage.
The island, renowned for its beaches, luxury resorts, and duty-free shopping, is currently in its low travel season, which may mitigate some of the potential for human casualties. However, the storm's severity is raising concerns, particularly as Yagi is set to be the strongest typhoon to hit the region in nearly a decade.
The Central Meteorological Agency of China issued a red typhoon warning-the most severe alert-across Hainan and Guangdong provinces. In Hong Kong, where Yagi is expected to pass closely, local authorities have preemptively canceled several flights and shut down kindergartens. The city's observatory has indicated that it may raise its storm warning to Signal No. 8, a move that would suspend operations on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, one of Asia's largest financial markets.
The effects of Yagi are already being felt in the Philippines, where the typhoon, known locally as Enteng, brought torrential rain earlier this week, leading to the deaths of at least 13 people. Some areas in Luzon reported receiving nearly 400 millimeters (15.8 inches) of rain, causing significant flooding and landslides.
As Yagi progresses, it is expected to maintain its super typhoon intensity, with meteorologists warning of continued high winds and heavy rainfall. The storm is forecasted to move towards northern Vietnam after striking southern China, potentially impacting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay. Vietnam's meteorological agency has issued a storm warning, and the government has mobilized over 2,700 military personnel for disaster response.
The rarity of a super typhoon making landfall in Hainan has heightened concerns. From 1949 to 2023, only 9 out of 106 typhoons that struck the island were classified as super typhoons, making Yagi's approach particularly alarming for local officials and residents alike.
