On September 6, 2024, Super Typhoon Yagi unleashed its destructive force as it made landfall in southern China. Winds reaching 245 km/h brought widespread chaos, prompting the closure of schools and the cancellation of hundreds of flights across Hainan, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. The storm's intensity led to the shutdown of major transport links, including the Hong Kong-Macau bridge. In Hong Kong, the local stock exchange and businesses were closed as torrential rains and powerful thunderstorms battered the region, forcing government officials to issue warnings for residents to remain indoors and avoid coastal areas due to rising seas and hazardous conditions.
Super Typhoon Yagi stands out as one of the most powerful storms of 2024, securing the title of the world's second-most intense tropical cyclone this year. Its rapid intensification, occurring just days after causing destruction in the northern Philippines, raises concerns among scientists regarding the increasing severity of tropical storms. Historically, typhoons impacting Hainan are typically weaker; however, Yagi's classification as a super typhoon is significant, marking it as only the ninth such storm in over 70 years to hit this region. Experts attribute the growing intensity of storms like Yagi to climate change, particularly the ongoing rise in ocean temperatures, which serve as fuel for these powerful weather systems.
As Yagi shifts its trajectory toward northern Vietnam, forecast models suggest that the storm will remain formidable, bringing anticipated heavy rains and fierce winds. Projections indicate rainfall totals could soar between 100-500 mm, with the potential for severe flooding and landslides, particularly in hilly and mountainous terrains. Coastal regions are on high alert due to the possibility of storm surges, with officials urging communities from Quang Ninh to Hai Phong to prepare for emergencies. The broad cloud system associated with Yagi poses a threat of widespread impact, amplifying the urgency for disaster preparedness and response strategies as the region gears up to face the mighty storm.
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