Typhoon Yagi: Chinese Cities Shut Down Schools, Flights

Yagi Threatens China's Coast

Gale winds associated with Yagi are expected to affect the vicinity of...

Super Typhoon Yagi heads for China's Hainan Province after causing floods, landslides, and deaths in the Philippines.

Southern Chinese cities halted school operations and cancelled select flights on Thursday, September 4, as Tropical Storm Yagi escalated into a super typhoon, setting its sights on Hainan Province, a popular holiday destination.

Yagi's wrath was previously felt on the Philippine island of Luzon, where it unleashed floods and landslides, claiming at least 13 lives. The storm has since intensified into a super typhoon as it traversed the South China Sea, westbound.

As Yagi hurtled towards Hainan, it boasted powerful gusts of up to 209 kilometres (130 miles) per hour, prompting concerns about potential damage and disruption.

“Hainan upgraded its emergency response to Yagi to the highest level on the morning of Thursday, September 5,” the provincial disaster management authority said.

Super Typhoon Yagi is forecasted to make landfall on Friday afternoon, September 6, in either Hainan Province or neighboring Guangdong, prompting widespread preparations.

In anticipation, Haikou, Hainan's capital, suspended work, school, and local transport services from Thursday afternoon, September 5. The city is bracing for the storm's impact.

Although Yagi is expected to bypass Hong Kong, the city's weather observatory announced plans to issue its third-highest typhoon warning in the evening, which will restrict public transportation across the financial hub.

“Hainan upgraded its emergency response to Yagi to the highest level on the morning of Thursday, September 5,” the provincial disaster management authority said.

Despite being expected to bypass Hong Kong, the city's weather observatory announced plans to issue its third-highest typhoon warning in the evening, restricting public transportation across the financial hub.

As a precautionary measure, classes at Hong Kong's kindergartens and special schools were suspended on Thursday, September 5. Additionally, airlines began adjusting their schedules in response to the impending storm.

Hong Kong Express, a budget airline, rescheduled six flights, while Greater Bay Airlines cancelled four flights and rescheduled two more due to the adverse weather conditions.

“Yagi will remain at super typhoon intensity and skirt around 300 kilometres (186 miles) to the southwest of Hong Kong tomorrow morning,” the observatory said.

“Gale winds associated with Yagi are expected to affect the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary tonight and tomorrow morning.”

Following its expected landfall in southern China, Super Typhoon Yagi is projected to shift towards Vietnam, where it is likely to impact the northern and north-central regions, including the renowned UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay.

In anticipation of the storm's arrival, Vietnam's meteorological agency issued a storm warning on Thursday, September 5. The government swiftly mobilized over 2,700 military personnel to prepare for storm response and mitigation efforts.

Vietnam's coastal provinces are set to impose a sailing ban on Friday, September 6, as a precautionary measure, while mountainous provinces have been instructed to ready rescue vehicles in anticipation of potential landslides and flooding.