Super Typhoon Yagi Slams Southern China: Flights Cancelled, Schools Shut

Super Typhoon Yagi, packing winds of 245 km/h, has caused significant disruptions in southern China with schools closed and flights canceled. The storm, one of the most powerful in 2024, has led to heavy rain, thunder, and lightning, particularly affecting Hainan, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Super Typhoon Yagi unleashed powerful gales and heavy rain across southern China on Friday, prompting school closures for a second day and flight cancellations as it neared landfall along Hainan's tropical coast.

With maximum sustained winds of 245 km/h (152 mph), Yagi ranks as the world's second-strongest tropical cyclone of 2024, following the Category 5 Atlantic hurricane Beryl. Doubling in strength since hitting the northern Philippines earlier this week, Yagi is expected to make landfall between Wenchang in Hainan and Leizhou, Guangdong from Friday afternoon.

The storm brought thunder and lightning throughout the region, resulting in widespread transport disruptions. Flights were canceled in Hainan, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, and the main bridge linking Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai closed. Hong Kong's observatory issued a typhoon 8 signal, the third highest, keeping the stock exchange and schools shut, with transportation significantly reduced.

Authorities warned residents to avoid shorelines due to intense rainbands and heavy squally showers. China's government has dispatched task forces to Guangdong and Hainan for flood and typhoon prevention.

Notably, Yagi's landfall in Hainan marks a rare event as most typhoons affecting the island are weaker. Scientists link the increasing strength of typhoons to climate change and warmer oceans.

(With inputs from agencies.)