As Typhoon Yagi approaches southern China, authorities have implemented extensive precautionary measures across the region. The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour, is expected to make landfall on 2024-09-06, potentially becoming the most powerful typhoon to hit the area in a decade.
Hainan, China's southernmost province and largest island, often referred to as "China's Hawaii" due to its tropical climate, is bracing for significant impact. The Hong Kong Observatory, established in 1883, forecasts that the typhoon will pass approximately 300 kilometers southwest of the financial hub on 2024-09-06.
In response to the impending threat, local governments have suspended schools and work in parts of southern China. Hong Kong has canceled kindergarten and special school classes, while maintaining a calm atmosphere as of 2024-09-05 morning. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange, one of Asia's largest, remains operational but is monitoring the situation closely.
China's fishing industry, which contributes significantly to Hainan's economy (about 10% of its GDP), has taken preventive action. Tens of thousands of fishing boats have sought shelter in ports across Hainan and neighboring areas, with nearly 70,000 fishers evacuated. This precaution is crucial, as typhoons can cause dangerous storm surges and abnormal water level rises.
Transportation systems are also affected, with some train services scheduled for suspension starting 2024-09-05 evening. This disruption impacts China's extensive high-speed rail network, which spans over 40,000 km as of 2023, the largest in the world.
The Hainan Meteorological Service predicts that Typhoon Yagi will make landfall in the region stretching from Qionghai in Hainan to Dianbai in neighboring Guangdong province, China's most populous province and a major manufacturing hub. The potential impact on agricultural production, particularly rice crops in southern China, is a significant concern.
Typhoon Yagi's approach follows its devastating passage through the Philippines, where it triggered landslides and severe flooding, resulting in at least 14 fatalities. The Philippines, which experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually, serves as a stark reminder of the destructive potential of these weather systems.
As climate change continues to influence weather patterns, experts anticipate an increase in the intensity of typhoons in the Western Pacific region. This trend underscores the importance of robust preparedness and response mechanisms in vulnerable coastal areas.
The South China Sea, where many of these typhoons form, is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. The potential disruption to maritime traffic adds another layer of complexity to the economic implications of Typhoon Yagi's approach.
As southern China prepares for Typhoon Yagi's arrival, the coming days will be crucial in determining the full extent of its impact on the region's population, infrastructure, and economy.