Super Typhoon Yagi Wreaks Havoc Across Southern China

Super Typhoon Yagi, with winds reaching 245 km/h, pounded southern China, leading to school closures, flight cancellations, and the suspension of business activities. The storm, the second most powerful tropical cyclone of 2024, is expected to impact Vietnam and Laos next. China has dispatched task forces for flood and typhoon prevention.

Super Typhoon Yagi, boasting maximum sustained winds of 245 km/h (152 mph), pummeled southern China on Friday. The fierce storm led to widespread school closures, flight cancellations, and transport disruptions across regions including Hainan, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. Authorities have issued high-risk warnings for geological disasters as the typhoon advances.

Yagi, now the world's second most powerful tropical cyclone of 2024, intensified after devastating the northern Philippines earlier this week. It is projected to make landfall along the Chinese coast from Wenchang to Leizhou before moving on to Vietnam and Laos. Hong Kong's financial hub saw its stock exchange shuttered and residents advised to stay indoors amid intense rainbands.

China has deployed task forces to Hainan and Guangdong for flood and typhoon prevention. The typhoon prompted the closure of the world's longest sea crossing bridge, connecting Hong Kong to Macau and Zhuhai, and many businesses took precautionary measures. This rare and powerful landfall is reminiscent of Typhoon Rammasun's impact in 2014, which caused significant casualties and economic losses.

(With inputs from agencies.)