Asia-Pacific – Super Typhoon Yagi, one of the most powerful storms of 2024, is now barreling toward Vietnam after leaving a trail of destruction across China’s Hainan Island. According to local authorities, two people have been reported dead as a result of the typhoon, which caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage across the southern Chinese province.
Destruction in Hainan
The typhoon tore through Hainan with winds reaching speeds of up to 190 km/h (118 mph), uprooting trees, damaging buildings, and disrupting power supplies. Reuters reported that over 100,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas as heavy rains inundated the island. Emergency services were on high alert, dealing with flash floods and landslides triggered by the storm.
One resident, speaking to Reuters, described the chaos in the aftermath: “The winds were so strong, we couldn’t even stand outside. Trees were flying through the air, and now there’s water everywhere.”
Chinese authorities have mobilized rescue teams to help with relief efforts, while the China Meteorological Administration has issued red alerts for ongoing flooding risks. CNN reported that roads and bridges in several regions were damaged, further complicating relief and rescue missions.
Vietnam Braces for Impact
As Yagi moves westward, Vietnam is preparing for its landfall. Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has warned that the typhoon is expected to hit the northern and central coastal areas in the coming days, potentially bringing catastrophic flooding and severe wind damage. Local authorities have issued evacuation orders in the most vulnerable areas, with tens of thousands of residents being relocated from the coast.
Speaking to BBC News, Nguyen Van Tam, a resident of Da Nang, expressed concerns: “We’re used to storms here, but this one feels different. We’ve been told to prepare for the worst.”
Vietnam’s government has already mobilized military forces and disaster response teams to assist with evacuations and prepare for potential relief operations. According to Al Jazeera, authorities are also warning of possible landslides and flash floods in mountainous regions.
International Response and Climate Change Concerns
International aid organizations are already coordinating with local governments in both China and Vietnam to assist with relief efforts. The Red Cross and UN disaster response teams have begun mobilizing supplies and personnel in anticipation of the storm’s impact in Vietnam. The severity of Typhoon Yagi has once again raised concerns about the growing intensity of storms in the region, which many experts attribute to climate change.
According to a report by The Guardian, climatologist Wang Yi from the Chinese Academy of Sciences stated, “Super typhoons like Yagi are becoming more frequent and more powerful, primarily due to the warming of sea surface temperatures. Governments in the region need to enhance their preparedness for these kinds of extreme weather events.”
Conclusion
As Vietnam braces for the full force of Super Typhoon Yagi, the international community watches closely. With two lives already lost in China and thousands displaced, the storm’s impact could be even more devastating when it makes landfall in Vietnam. Authorities and aid organizations are working to mitigate the effects, but the power of the storm highlights the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.
