September 6th 2024.
Today, a strong and powerful storm is barreling towards the Chinese holiday destination of Hainan. The storm, known as Super Typhoon Yagi, has already caused destruction in Hong Kong and other parts of southern China with its outer bands. With maximum wind speeds of 240km/h, Yagi is currently classified as a Category 4 hurricane, making it the second most powerful tropical cyclone of 2024 (only behind the Category 5 Atlantic hurricane Beryl).
Experts have discovered that the increasing temperature of our oceans, a result of the climate crisis caused by human activity, is causing storms like Yagi to intensify at a faster rate. Just two days ago, Yagi was only a tropical storm with wind speeds of 90km/h. However, as it moved across the warm waters of the South China Sea, it quickly gained strength.
Yagi is expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon in southwestern China, near the northern tip of Hainan. It will then continue inland through western Guangdong province. Known as "China's Hawaii," Hainan is a popular destination for its beautiful beaches, surfing spots, luxurious resorts, and duty-free shopping. While it is not currently peak travel season, the island has a good record of withstanding powerful storms. However, with Yagi being an exceptionally strong system, its impact on the less developed areas of Hainan and other parts of southern China could be significant.
A storm of Yagi's magnitude can cause extensive damage, including knocking down trees and power lines, as well as producing large waves and storm surges along the coast. As a precaution, authorities have already implemented storm warning systems and suspended intercity bus services on Hainan. Train and high-speed rail services have also been halted, and all departing flights have been cancelled until midnight tonight.
In preparation for Yagi's arrival, people have been seen reinforcing their homes by taping windows and glass doors and placing sandbags around doorways to prevent flooding. The Central Meteorological Agency of China has issued a red typhoon warning, the highest level of alert, for Hainan and Guangdong. The storm has also brought heavy rain and strong winds to Hong Kong, prompting authorities to raise the third-highest storm warning level, which has led to travel restrictions and school closures. The city's stock market, one of Asia's largest, is temporarily closed.
Yagi, also known as Enteng in the Philippines, had already caused destruction in the country earlier in the week, resulting in the loss of 13 lives according to Reuters. In some areas of Luzon, the total rainfall reached 400mm. As Yagi continues its path towards Hainan and southern China, authorities urge residents and tourists to take precautions and stay safe.
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