Typhoon Yagi 2024 tracker: China braces for biggest storm in decade as schools shut and flights cancelled

Super Typhoon Yagi is expected to bring heavy wind gusts and rainfall to several countries in Southeast Asia. Starting with China’s southeastern coast, particularly Guangdong and Hainan Island, Yagi will also affect northern Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand as it moves westward.

In China, Yagi’s landfall on Hainan will bring dangerous winds and torrential rain, with the strongest impact from Friday through Sunday. Major cities like Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangzhou are bracing for possible flooding and disruptions.

As the storm moves inland, northern Vietnam will experience heavy rains and strong winds, with the risk of flooding and landslides in mountainous areas.

Northern Laos and Thailand are also expected to face similar conditions, with intense rainfall potentially causing flash floods and landslides. Although the storm will weaken by the time it reaches these areas.

As Super Typhoon Yagi approaches Hong Kong, the city is set to raise the No 8 typhoon signal, prompting widespread closures and disruptions.

The Hong Kong Observatory uses a numbered typhoon warning system to alert residents to the severity of approaching storms and guide them in taking appropriate action. Here’s how the system works:

No 1 Signal: The first level, No 1, is issued when a tropical cyclone is within 800 kilometres of Hong Kong. At this stage, the storm does not pose an immediate threat, but the signal serves as an early alert for the public to stay informed and monitor updates on the storm’s development.

No 3 Signal: As the storm draws closer and winds intensify to between 41 and 62 kmph, the No 3 signal is raised. This warning typically results in the closure of kindergartens and special schools, as seen earlier when Typhoon Yagi approached. Residents in exposed or vulnerable areas are advised to secure loose objects and take precautions against potential wind damage.

No 8 Signal: When winds reach 63 to 117 kmph, the No 8 signal is issued, as will be the case with Super Typhoon Yagi at 6.20pm local time (10.20am GMT) on Thursday. This is a critical alert, leading to the closure of businesses and a halt to most public transport services. Residents are urged to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

No 9 and No 10 Signals: For the most severe conditions, No 9 and No 10 signals are issued, indicating winds above 118 kmph. These warnings signal extreme danger, advising residents to stay away from windows, avoid coastal areas, and remain indoors until the storm passes.

As Yagi is expected to pass 300 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong, the observatory has warned of deteriorating weather and stronger winds, with further alerts possible if the storm intensifies. Residents were asked to prepare for the impact expected from Thursday night through Friday morning.

Super Typhoon Yagi, also known as Enteng in the Philippines, is the strongest tropical cyclone of 2024 worldwide, Matthew Cuyugan, a disaster management office in the Philippines, wrote on X.

It achieved this status with a minimum central pressure of 915 millibars and winds likely exceeding 160 mph, making it a Category 5 equivalent typhoon by various classifications, including the Japan Meteorological Agency’s (JMA) highest storm classification as a “violent typhoon.”

Hong Kong is bracing for Super Typhoon Yagi as authorities prepare to issue a No 8 typhoon signal, the third-highest alert level.

The signal will be issued at 6.20pm local time (10.20am GMT) on Thursday, SCMP reports.

The storm, strengthening as it approaches, is expected to pass 300km (186 miles) southwest of Hong Kong between Thursday night and Friday morning.

“Yagi is a mature storm. Under the influence of its outer circulation, local winds generally strengthened this morning with occasional gale winds on high ground,” the Hong Kong Observatory, the city’s weather authority, said.

Kindergartens and special schools were closed as a No 3 signal remained in effect earlier in the day. As the typhoon nears, winds will further strengthen, and conditions in the city will worsen, especially near the Pearl River Estuary.

Hong Kong uses a five level numbered typhoon warning system that helps residents and businesses prepare for approaching storms.

Currently a No 3 middle level signal is in place under which people are asked to take precautions, especially those living in exposed areas. This signal often leads to school closures for kindergartens and special schools.

The next signal, No 8, is issued when gale or storm-force winds (63-117 kmph) are imminent, prompting business closures and limited transport services. This signal has the most significant impact on daily life, as it indicates severe disruption.

China’s Hainan has suspended trains and boats ahead of the arrival of Super Typhoon Yagi, while schools across southern China, including Hong Kong and Macau, were also closed.

All flights in and out of Hainan’s Haikou airport would be cancelled from 8pm Thursday until midnight Friday, authorities said, with beaches and coastal tourist sites shut down as well.

Super Typhoon Yagi is currently moving across the northern South China Sea, heading toward China’s Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island. It is expected to make landfall between Qionghai, Hainan, and Dianbai, Guangdong, on Friday.

Yagi strengthened into a super typhoon on Wednesday night as it barrels towards China, in what is expected to be the strongest storm in nearly a decade to make landfall in the country.

Yagi was located 610km (379 miles) south-east of Xuwen County, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China’s Meteorological office said on Thursday.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 210kmph near its centre and moving westward at a speed of 10-15kmph (6-9 mph) bringing torrential rains to the southern coastal areas of Guangdong and Hainan island.

It is due to make landfall along the coast from Qionghai, Hainan to Dianbai, Guangdong from the afternoon to the night of Friday.