Written By Lisa Murimi
China has evacuated 400,000 people as super typhoon Yagi approaches the popular tourist island of Hainan.
The storm, one of the year’s most powerful, is expected to make landfall on Friday, state media reported.
With winds reaching 240 km/h (150 mph), Yagi has intensified significantly since causing destruction in the northern Philippines earlier this week.
Trains, boats, and flights in the region have been suspended for a second day, and schools remain closed across the southern areas as authorities brace for “catastrophic” damage.
Meteorologists warn that Yagi could devastate Hainan and Guangdong, China’s most populous province.
Tourist attractions in Hainan have been shut down, and heavy rain and strong gales have already begun affecting the region.
The main bridge linking Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai in Guangdong has also been closed.
Vietnam is preparing for Yagi’s arrival on Saturday, where tens of thousands of people will be evacuated, and four northern airports, including Hanoi’s Noi Bai, will be shut.
Earlier this week, Yagi triggered floods and landslides in the Philippines, killing at least 13 people.
Experts warn that stronger typhoons like Yagi are becoming more frequent due to climate change, as warmer waters fuel more intense storms.
