Typhoon Yagi Threatens Southern China

Parts of southern China halt school and work as Typhoon Yagi approaches, poised to be the most powerful storm in a decade. The typhoon, with winds up to 210 km/h, prompted mass evacuations and disrupted transport, especially in Hainan and Guangdong provinces. Originating from the Philippines, the storm has already caused severe damage and fatalities.

Parts of southern China came to a standstill on Thursday as Typhoon Yagi approached, showing potential to be the region's most powerful storm in a decade.

The Hong Kong Observatory reported that Typhoon Yagi, bearing winds of up to 210 kilometers per hour, would pass approximately 300 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong on Friday morning. The weather remained calm in the semi-autonomous city as kindergartens and special schools were preemptively shut down. China's state news agency Xinhua confirmed that tens of thousands of fishing boats had retreated to ports in Hainan and surrounding regions, with nearly 70,000 fishermen taking shelter. CCTV reported that train services in the area would be suspended starting Thursday evening. Meteorological authorities forecasted that Typhoon Yagi would make landfall between Qionghai in Hainan and Dianbai in Guangdong province, potentially marking the strongest storm to hit Hainan in a decade.

Having traveled north from the Philippines, Typhoon Yagi has already caused landslides, flooding, and 14 fatalities in the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)