Massive Storm: Strongest Typhoon in a Decade Slams 'China's Hawaii

A popular tourist island south of mainland China has been struck by the most powerful storm in a decade, leaving the region facing potentially catastrophic winds and torrential rain. The super storm Yagi slammed into Wenchang city in the northeast of Hainan Island with winds of 223 km/h (138 mph) at 16:00 local time (09:00 BST) on Friday, according to state media.

Yagi is the strongest storm to hit Hainan since Ramesan in 2014, which left 46 people dead. China's weather agency said this storm is the most powerful to make landfall in the autumn season. In preparation for the storm, approximately 400,000 people were evacuated to safe ground across Hainan Island. Trains, boats, and flights were suspended, and schools were closed to minimize the impact of the storm.

Yagi, which doubled in strength after causing havoc in the northern Philippines earlier in the week, is the second-strongest storm so far this year. Meteorologists have warned that the storm could cause "catastrophic" damage in Hainan and neighboring Guangdong, China’s most populous province. The Indo-Pacific Tropical Cyclone Warning Center called Yagi an "extremely dangerous and powerful" super storm that could make a "potentially catastrophic" landfall.

Shortly after making landfall, the storm caused widespread power outages across Hainan, with approximately 830,000 households affected. Emergency teams, consisting of around 7,000 people, worked to restore power, successfully bringing electricity back to 260,000 homes by Friday evening. Tourist attractions were shut down in advance of the storm, and authorities warned the public of "massive and destructive winds."

With its white sand beaches, luxury hotels, and duty-free shops, Hainan has earned the nickname "China's Hawaii," but the island was no match for the intense power of the storm. The world’s longest sea crossing, the main bridge linking Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai in Guangdong, was also closed due to the storm. The storm made landfall a second time in Guangdong on Friday evening, with winds exceeding 200 km/h.

As the storm intensified, parts of the region began experiencing heavy rainfall and strong gales. China's weather authority predicts that rainfall will reach up to 500mm due to the storm. Although Hainan is no stranger to typhoons, only nine of the 106 typhoons that have hit the island since 1949 were classified as super storms, according to Reuters.

In other areas, the storm affected Hong Kong, where trading on the city's stock exchange was suspended, and schools were closed. Although five people were injured by extreme weather in the city, overall damage from the storm was considered limited by authorities. After China, Yagi is expected to make landfall in northern Vietnam late on Saturday in a weakened state. Tens of thousands of people in the provinces of Hai Phong and Thai Binh are being evacuated as the storm approaches.

Vietnamese authorities have mobilized some 460,000 officers to manage the impact of the storm. The Vietnamese deputy agriculture minister has warned that the storm could affect regions that are "crucial to the socio-economic development" of the country. Four airports in the north of Vietnam, including Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, are scheduled to be closed on Saturday due to the storm.

Earlier in the week, the storm triggered floods and landslides in the northern Philippines, killing at least 13 people and forcing thousands to evacuate. Scientists believe that storms like Yagi are becoming stronger and more frequent due to climate change. Warmer ocean waters allow storms to gather more energy, leading to higher wind speeds and more intense rainfall.