Typhoon Yagi, considered the strongest autumn typhoon to hit China, made landfall on the popular tourist destination of Hainan Island on Friday afternoon, September 6. The storm had previously swept south of Hong Kong, causing significant disruption.
Ahead of the typhoon’s arrival, authorities in Hainan relocated nearly 420,000 residents to safety. Additionally, over half a million people were evacuated in Guangdong province, anticipating a second landfall in Xuwen County on Friday night. The impact of the storm was evident in Hainan, where residents built sandbag barriers outside buildings to protect against potential flooding and reinforced windows with tape.
The storm’s impact extended beyond Hainan, as businesses and transportation were suspended throughout the province, including popular tourist attractions. In Beihai city, work, classes, businesses, and transportation were also halted on Friday.
Prior to the typhoon’s landfall, Hong Kong had experienced significant disruptions. The city’s weather authority issued a No 8 typhoon warning, the third highest level, prompting the closure of the stock market, bank services, and schools. The typhoon forced 270 people to seek refuge in government shelters and led to the cancellation of 100 flights.
Beyond the immediate impact on China, Typhoon Yagi had devastating consequences in the Philippines. The storm, which originated in the northwestern Philippines, had caused widespread flooding and landslides, leading to the deaths of at least 16 people and leaving 17 missing. Over 2 million people in northern and central provinces were affected, and over 47,600 people were displaced from their homes in the Philippine provinces. Schools and colleges, work, inter-island ferry services, and domestic flights were disrupted for days, including in the densely populated Metropolitan city of Manila.
Typhoon Yagi serves as a reminder of the destructive power of these storms and highlights the importance of preparedness and timely evacuation measures to minimize the impact on human life and property.
