Typhoon Yagi Strikes Vietnam After Causing Devastation in Southern China

Typhoon Yagi made landfall in northern Vietnam on Saturday, following a path of significant destruction in southern China, where it brought sustained winds of up to 156 mph.

The tropical cyclone first struck China’s island province of Hainan on Friday afternoon as a formidable Category 4 hurricane, according to the U.S. National Weather Service’s Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This makes Yagi the second-most powerful storm of the year to make landfall, only surpassed by Hurricane Beryl.

Before hitting China, Yagi had already impacted the Philippines, where it was classified as a Category 2 storm. Following its landfall in Hainan, the storm has continued to move toward Vietnam.

NASA’s Terra satellite captured an image of Yagi on September 5, categorizing it as a strong Category 4 hurricane, marking it as one of the most powerful tropical cyclones recorded in 2024. NASA noted this storm as the strongest to hit China in a decade.

Tragically, at least four fatalities have been reported, along with 95 injuries in southern China, according to state-run media. In preparation for Yagi’s arrival, authorities executed widespread evacuations, with around 400,000 individuals moved to safety ahead of the storm.

In addition, flights, train services, and scheduled ferry trips were suspended, and schools were closed to protect residents from the impending disaster. As of Saturday morning, more than 1.22 million people in China had been significantly affected by the typhoon.

Forecasters predict that Yagi will begin to lose intensity as it crosses further into Vietnam through Sunday night. However, they warn of potential torrential rain until the storm fully exits the region.

Continuing on a west-northwest path, the storm has already caused extensive rainfall, dumping over 15.5 inches in parts of the Philippines, resulting in at least 13 deaths there. Both Chinese and Vietnamese officials are now on alert for possible mudslides due to the heavy rainfall sustained from the storm.

Images and footage disseminated by Chinese state media illustrate the significant impact of the storm, showcasing damaged structures, flooded streets, and uprooted trees throughout Hainan, including its capital, Haikou, which is home to three million residents.