Typhoon Yagi latest: Strongest storm to hit Asia this year kills 14 in Vietnam and injures hundreds

Typhoon Yagi latest: Strongest storm to hit Asia this year kills 14 in Vietnam and injures hundreds

Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm to hit Asia this year, was downgraded to a tropical depression on Sunday after killing at least 14 in Vietnam.

The storm caused significant damage in northern Vietnam, China’s Hainan, and the Philippines, killing dozens and injuring several more.

Although the Vietnamese meteorological agency issued the downgrade, they warned of continuing risks, including potential flooding and landslides, as the storm progresses westward.

Strong winds reaching 203 kmph caused extensive damage across northern Vietnam. Buildings were wrecked, vehicles were crushed by debris, and falling trees triggered power outages, including in the capital, Hanoi.

More than 170 people are reported injured.

The government reported that the storm has resulted in at least three deaths in Hanoi, a city of 8.5 million, though these numbers are preliminary. Overall, reports indicate that fourteen people have died in Vietnam so far, including four from a landslide in Hoa Binh province, approximately 100 km south of Hanoi.

In the Philippines, the storm left 20 dead, several more missing, and over two million affected, with landslides and widespread flooding displacing over 47,600 people from their homes.

Key points

  • Typhoon Yagi claims 14 lives in Vietnam

  • Vietnam orders evacuations and closes airports as Typhoon Yagi approaches

  • Typhoon Yagi kills 2 and injures 92 in China's Hainan

  • Southern China reels from Typhoon Yagi's fury, one million affected

Saturday 7 September 2024 04:16 , Namita Singh

Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog for Saturday, 7 September 2024, where we provide the latest update on Typhoon Yagi.

Southern China reels from Typhoon Yagi's fury, one million affected

Saturday 7 September 2024 04:41 , Namita Singh

Typhoon Yagi made two landfalls in southern China on Friday, forcing the relocation of nearly one million people as it brought widespread destruction and disruption to the region.

The storm, which packed winds of up to 245kmph, made its first landfall in Hainan province’s Wenchang city at around 4.20pm, and a second landfall in Xuwen County in neighbouring Guangdong province on Friday night.

Ahead of the landfalls, authorities evacuated nearly 420,000 residents in Hainan and over 500,000 in Guangdong, with many more forced to flee their homes due to heavy rain, power outages, and strong winds. The storm caused widespread disruptions, including:- Suspended classes, work, transportation, and businesses in parts of the province as early as Wednesday evening

- Closed tourist attractions and grounded flights at three airports on the island

- Power outages, leaving and heavy rain across most of Hainan

- Strong winds buffeting the province’s iconic coconut trees

The residents were building sandbag barriers outside buildings to guard against possible floods and reinforcing their windows with tape.

Authorities issued top emergency response alerts, with state broadcaster CCTV reporting that Qinzhou city in Guangxi region also issued a top emergency response alert to guard against the typhoon. The storm was described as the strongest autumn typhoon to have landed in China by the country’s national meteorological authorities.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, coconut trees hit by typhoon Yagi along a road in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, Friday, 6 September2024 (AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, coconut trees hit by typhoon Yagi along a road in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, Friday, 6 September2024 (AP)

Typhoon Yagi sets sight on Vietnam after tearing through China

Saturday 7 September 2024 04:55 , Namita Singh

Super Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm this year, churned towards the northern coast of Vietnam on Saturday after tearing through China’s southern island province of Hainan with lightning, rain and violent winds.

Vietnamese authorities took precautionary measures, urging ships to return to shore and evacuating residents and tourists from islands, according to state media.

Meanwhile, schools in Hanoi and other northern provinces were ordered to close on Saturday, local news media reported.

Additionally, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam suspended flights at least four airports on Friday, halting all arrivals and departures.

In pictures: Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in China

Saturday 7 September 2024 05:05 , Namita Singh

A woman riding a motorbike is blown down from the wind of Typhoon Yagi in Hai Phong city on 7 September 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)
A woman riding a motorbike is blown down from the wind of Typhoon Yagi in Hai Phong city on 7 September 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a vehicle moves past trees along a road in Haikou following the landfall of typhoon Yagi, in south China’s Hainan Province, Friday, 6 September 2024 (AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a vehicle moves past trees along a road in Haikou following the landfall of typhoon Yagi, in south China’s Hainan Province, Friday, 6 September 2024 (AP)
Strong winds blow during Super Typhoon Yagi in Haikou, Hainan, China 6 September 2024 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video (Reuters)
Strong winds blow during Super Typhoon Yagi in Haikou, Hainan, China 6 September 2024 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video (Reuters)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a man holding an umbrella struggles against the wind following the landfall of typhoon Yagi in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, Friday, 6 September 2024 (AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a man holding an umbrella struggles against the wind following the landfall of typhoon Yagi in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, Friday, 6 September 2024 (AP)

Yagi weakens slightly but remains powerful threat to Vietnam

Saturday 7 September 2024 05:19 , Namita Singh

Typhoon Yagi spun towards northern Vietnam over the Gulf of Tonkin on Saturday. Maximum wind speeds had eased slightly to the levels of a Category 3 typhoon from Category 4, coming in at 187 kmph, according to Chinese meteorological authorities.

Typhoon Yagi formed over the waters east of the Philippine archipelago on September 1. On gaining strength, it became a tropical storm and swept across Luzon, the most populous island in the Philippines, killing at least 16 people and injuring 13.

The storm grew dramatically stronger late in the week, becoming the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone in 2024 after Category 5 Atlantic hurricane Beryl, and the most severe in the Pacific basin this year.

A man walks past a fallen tree which blocks a street due to the strong wind in Hanoi, Vietnam, 06 September 2024 (EPA)
A man walks past a fallen tree which blocks a street due to the strong wind in Hanoi, Vietnam, 06 September 2024 (EPA)

Typhoon Yagi wreaks havoc on Hainan island, killing 2 and injuring 92

Saturday 7 September 2024 05:35 , Namita Singh

Super Typhoon Yagi brought destruction to southern China’s Hainan island, leaving at least two dead and 92 injured after making landfall.

The storm lashed the island with heavy rain and gusty winds, uprooting trees and prompting the evacuation of 460,000 people. Winds reached over 230kmph, forcing the closure of Haikou’s main airport until 3pm on Saturday, reported CCTV.

UAE Embassy warns citizens in Vietnam as Typhoon Yagi approaches

Saturday 7 September 2024 05:59 , Namita Singh

The UAE Embassy in Hanoi has issued a warning to Emirati citizens in Vietnam on Friday, urging them to exercise caution as Typhoon Yagi is expected to affect the country’s northern provinces.

In a statement, the embassy advised citizens to contact them in case of an emergency at 0097180024 or 0097180044444 as it urged the nationals to follow safety instructions issued by Vietnamese authorities.

A man sits in a bar overlooking Ha Long Bay ahead of the approaching Typhoon Yagi in Quang Ninh province on 6 September 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)
A man sits in a bar overlooking Ha Long Bay ahead of the approaching Typhoon Yagi in Quang Ninh province on 6 September 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

The warning comes as Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority announced the closure of four airports in the north, including Hanoi’s Noi Bai International, on Saturday due to the storm.

In pictures: Hanoi streets littered with fallen trees as Typhoon Yagi hits

Saturday 7 September 2024 06:14 , Namita Singh

A man walks past a fallen tree which blocks a street due to the strong wind in Hanoi, Vietnam, 6 September 2024 (EPA)
A man walks past a fallen tree which blocks a street due to the strong wind in Hanoi, Vietnam, 6 September 2024 (EPA)
A fallen tree blocks a street due to the strong wind in Hanoi, Vietnam, 6 September 2024 (EPA)
A fallen tree blocks a street due to the strong wind in Hanoi, Vietnam, 6 September 2024 (EPA)
Typhoon Yagi is expected to make landfall in northern Vietnam on 7 September 2024 (EPA)
Typhoon Yagi is expected to make landfall in northern Vietnam on 7 September 2024 (EPA)

Typhoon Yagi kills 2 and injures 92 in China's Hainan

Saturday 7 September 2024 07:38 , Namita Singh

Typhoon Yagi has claimed two lives and injured at least 92 people in China’s southern Hainan Island, with widespread power outages and property damage reported.

Typhoon Yagi, now heading towards northern Vietnam, was described by Vietnamese authorities as “one of the most powerful typhoons in the region over the past decade”.

Yagi made landfall in Hainan’s Wenchang city on Friday afternoon, packing wind speeds of up to 245kmph.

The storm caused significant disruption in China, with over 800,000 households left without power. In preparation for the typhoon’s arrival, 420,000 Hainan residents were relocated, while an additional 500,000 people were evacuated in Guangdong province before Yagi made a second landfall in Xuwen County on Friday night.

China’s national meteorological authorities have confirmed Yagi as the strongest autumn typhoon to have landed in China.

Typhoon Yagi targets Vietnam's Ha Long Bay, Unesco World Heritage site

Saturday 7 September 2024 08:11 , Namita Singh

A powerful typhoon is barreling towards Vietnam’s stunning Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its towering limestone islands and emerald waters.

Typhoon Yagi is expected to make landfall near the coastal province of Quang Ninh, prompting widespread cancellations of cruises and tours.

Waves are whipped up by high winds on Phuong Luu lake as Super Typhoon Yagi hits Hai Phong on 7 September 2024 (Getty Images)
Waves are whipped up by high winds on Phuong Luu lake as Super Typhoon Yagi hits Hai Phong on 7 September 2024 (Getty Images)

Authorities are racing against time to prepare for the storm’s impact, pruning trees in Hanoi to prevent them from falling and evacuating residents in high-risk areas. However, strong winds and heavy rain have already knocked over trees and billboards in northern cities, and local media reports that many moored boats have been swept out to sea.

Stay tuned for updates on Typhoon Yagi’s progress and impact. Share your concerns and photos with me on Namita.Singh@independent.co.uk.

Vietnam orders evacuations and closes airports as Typhoon Yagi approaches

Saturday 7 September 2024 09:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Typhoon Yagi, one of the most powerful in the region in a decade, has prompted the closure of airports and evacuation of residents in Vietnam’s northern provinces.

Yagi, which has already caused significant damage in China’s Hainan province, killing two and injuring nearly 100, is expected to make landfall near Quang Ninh in Vietnam.

The typhoon, with wind speeds of 150-166 kmph has led to the cancellation of hundreds of cruises and prompted evacuations and alerts in vulnerable areas.

In Hainan and Guangdong in China, about a million people were relocated.

The typhoon has also caused widespread disruption in Hong Kong and the Philippines, where it initially struck, displacing thousands and halting various services.

Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in northern Vietnam

Saturday 7 September 2024 10:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Typhoon Yagi, one of the most powerful in the region in a decade, struck northern Vietnam on Saturday with winds reaching 149 kmph.

Authorities shut down airports, evacuated vulnerable areas, and dealt with power outages.

The typhoon caused significant damage and disruptions, including cancelled cruises at Ha Long Bay and uprooted trees in Hanoi.

A man rides motorcycle in the rain caused by typhoon Yagi in Hanoi, Vietnam Saturday, 7 September 2024 (AP)
A man rides motorcycle in the rain caused by typhoon Yagi in Hanoi, Vietnam Saturday, 7 September 2024 (AP)

Earlier, Yagi hit China’s Hainan province, causing two deaths and injuring nearly 100 people.

Typhoon Yagi bears down on northern Vietnam

Saturday 7 September 2024 11:26 , Namita Singh

Typhoon Yagi made landfall in the northern region of Vietnam on Saturday afternoon, bringing widespread heavy rainfall and strong winds.

On Saturday morning, Typhoon Yagi was located off the coast of Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City, packing maximum sustained winds of 166kmph.

Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in Vietnam (EPA)
Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in Vietnam (EPA)

The storm moved west-northwest at 20kmph and made landfall in northern Vietnamese provinces.

The National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting has warned of heavy rainfall of up to 350mm in the northern region, including Thanh Hoa Province, from now until Monday morning.

Residents are advised to prepare for powerful winds, flooding, flash floods, and landslides.

Hanoi woman killed by pre-Typhoon Yagi winds

Saturday 7 September 2024 11:28 , Namita Singh

Strong winds preceding Typhoon Yagi’s arrival felled a tree in Hanoi, killing a woman, according to local media reports on Saturday.

The storm has also caused power outages in Quang Ninh and Thai Binh provinces.

Earlier, the government issued alerts, evacuated vulnerable areas, and closed four airports, including in Hanoi and Haiphong, ahead of the typhoon’s landfall.

A handout photo made available by Vietnam News Agency shows debris on a street as typhoon Yagi makes landfall, in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, 7 September 2024 (EPA)
A handout photo made available by Vietnam News Agency shows debris on a street as typhoon Yagi makes landfall, in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, 7 September 2024 (EPA)

In pictures: Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in Vietnam

Saturday 7 September 2024 11:32 , Namita Singh

A handout photo made available by Vietnam News Agency shows fallen trees due to the strong winds (EPA)
A handout photo made available by Vietnam News Agency shows fallen trees due to the strong winds (EPA)
Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm so far this year, made landfall in northern Vietnam on 7 September (EPA)
Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm so far this year, made landfall in northern Vietnam on 7 September (EPA)
A bicycle lays tangled in an uprooted tree after Super Typhoon Yagi hit Hai Phong on 7 September 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)
A bicycle lays tangled in an uprooted tree after Super Typhoon Yagi hit Hai Phong on 7 September 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

Vietnam issues high-level disaster warnings

Saturday 7 September 2024 11:42 , Namita Singh

Vietnam’s national weather agency has issued high-level disaster risk warnings for various regions as Typhoon Yagi intensifies.

A level-four warning has been issued for Quang Ninh and Hai Phong’s coastal and inland areas, while a level-three warning has been issued for the Gulf of Tonkin and the coastal and inland areas of Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa.

A handout photo made available by Vietnam News Agency shows a fallen tree due to the strong winds as typhoon Yagi makes landfall, in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)
A handout photo made available by Vietnam News Agency shows a fallen tree due to the strong winds as typhoon Yagi makes landfall, in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)

According to Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, Typhoon Yagi is the most intense storm to hit the northern coastal region of the country in the past 30 years, as reported by Tuoi Tre News.

People hold umbrellas as they cross a street under the rain in Hanoi, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)
People hold umbrellas as they cross a street under the rain in Hanoi, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)

Mr Khiem urged residents in coastal areas, including Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh, to stay indoors during heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday.

Flash floods and landslides feared in northern Vietnam

Saturday 7 September 2024 12:04 , Namita Singh

As Typhoon Yagi bears down on Vietnam, authorities are racing to evacuate residents and assets from vulnerable areas.

The director of the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting has warned of a high risk of flooding, flash floods, and landslides in northern provinces and Thanh Hoa, urging immediate action to protect lives and property, reported Tuoi Tre News.

Even after the storm passes, residents are advised to remain vigilant for potential flash floods and landslides.

People take shelter under a bridge amid the impact of Typhoon Yagi, in Hanoi, Vietnam, 7 September 2024 (Reuters)
People take shelter under a bridge amid the impact of Typhoon Yagi, in Hanoi, Vietnam, 7 September 2024 (Reuters)

Deputy prime minister Tran Hong Ha praised the weather agency’s accurate forecasting and stressed the need for close monitoring of the typhoon’s path and impact. He also emphasised the importance of protecting coastal dikes, warning of waves reaching up to 7 meters high.

As the storm makes landfall, heavy rains and strong winds are already battering Ha Long City, prompting authorities to restrict motorbike traffic and arrange transport services for residents. In Hai Phong City, strong winds and heavy rainfall are causing large waves to crash against the shore, with authorities on high alert.

Death toll rises to four in Vietnam

Saturday 7 September 2024 13:11 , Athena Stavrou

Vietnamese authorities have said Typhoon Yagi has now killed at least 4 people and injured 78 others after making landfall after making landfall Saturday afternoon in the north of the country. Yagi, described by Vietnamese meteorological officials as “one of the most powerful typhoons in the region over the past decade,” made its way to the Southeast Asian country after it left three people dead and nearly a hundred others injured in the Chinese province of Hainan.

How many people have died?

Saturday 7 September 2024 13:34 , Athena Stavrou

Typhoon Yagi has now killed at least 23 people and injured dozens after making its way through the Philippines, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

Yagi was still a storm when it blew out of the northwestern Philippines into the South China Sea on Wednesday, leaving at least 16 people dead and 17 others missing mostly in landslides and widespread flooding and affecting more than two million people.

Yagi struck the Chinese city of Wenchang in Hainan province on Friday afternoon with wind speeds of up to about 152mph near its centre. Local authorities said on Saturday the typhoon left three people dead and injured at least 92 others.

Some 420,000 Hainan residents were relocated before the typhoon’s landfall. Another half a million people in Guangdong province were evacuated before Yagi made a second landfall in the province’s Xuwen County on Friday night.

It made landfall in Vietnam on Saturday afternoon, and has now killed at least 4 people.

Mapped: Typhoon Yagi

Saturday 7 September 2024 14:10 , Athena Stavrou

 (Nasa)
(Nasa)

Hanoi residents prepare for typhoon

Saturday 7 September 2024 14:48 , Athena Stavrou

Hanoi locals are preparing to feel the wrath of Typhoon Yagi as the weather system makes landfall in Vietnam.

“I am going to stay inside and try and stay safe with my family,” said Bao Ngoc Cao, 24, a businesswoman from Hanoi.

She added that the last time a typhoon this strong hit Vietnam was in 2013 and that storms usually weaken before reaching the capital. “But we still need to be prepared.”

It has killed four people already as it made landfall in the north of the country on Saturday afternoon.

Where is the typhoon?

Saturday 7 September 2024 15:21 , Athena Stavrou

The typhoon landed at Vietnam’s coastal provinces of Quang Ninh and Haiphong with wind speeds of up to 149 kilometers per hour, state media reported. Before landing, strong winds felled a tree, killing a woman in the capital, Hanoi, local media said Saturday.

Quang Ninh is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, known for its many towering limestone islands. Hundreds of cruises were canceled at the popular site before the typhoon landed, according to local media.

Haiphong is an industrial hub, home to large factories, including EV maker VinFast and Apple supplier Pegatron.The typhoon has also triggered power outages in large parts of Quang Ninh and Thai Binh provinces.

Vietnam orders evacuations and closes airports

Saturday 7 September 2024 15:50 , Athena Stavrou

Vietnam evacuated more than 50,000 people from coastal towns and deployed 450,000 military personnel, the government said.

It also suspended operations for several hours at four airports on Saturday, including Hanoi’s Noi Bai, the busiest in the north, which cancelled more than 300 flights.

High schools were also closed in 12 northern provinces, including in the capital Hanoi, which has a population of 8.5 million.

Authorities in the capital suspended public transport on buses and its two elevated metro lines on Saturday afternoon, state media reported. The meteorological agency has warned of risks of heavy flooding in the city centre.

Hanoi resident Nguyen Manh Quan, 40, said: “The wind is strong enough to blow a person over,” while Dang Van Phuong, also 40, said: “I’ve never seen a storm like this, you can’t drive in these winds.”

People hold umbrellas as they cross a street under the rain in Hanoi, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)
People hold umbrellas as they cross a street under the rain in Hanoi, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)

What is the difference between typhoon and hurricane?

Saturday 7 September 2024 16:19 , Athena Stavrou

Here are a few commonly used weather terms and their definitions, which rely on material from the National Weather Service:

Hurricane or typhoon — A warm-core tropical cyclone in which the minimum sustained surface wind is 74 mph (119 kph) or more. Hurricanes are spawned east of the international date line. Typhoons develop west of the line. They are known as cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Australia.

Super typhoon — A typhoon in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 150 mph (241 kph) or more.

Tornado — A violent rotating column of air forming a pendant, usually from a cumulonimbus cloud, and touching the ground. On a local scale, it is the most destructive of all atmospheric phenomena. Tornadoes can appear from any direction, but in the U.S. most move from southwest to northeast. Measured on F-scale from EF0 to EF5, which considers 28 different types of damage to structures and trees. An EF2 or higher is considered a significant tornado.

Extreme weather was intensified by climate change, researchers say

Saturday 7 September 2024 17:00 , Athena Stavrou

Typhoons are becoming stronger, fuelled by warmer oceans, amid climate change, scientists say.

Last week, Typhoon Shanshan slammed into southwestern Japan, the strongest storm to hit the country in decades

Shanshan was likely intensified by climate change, a study from Imperial College London has found. Researchers found that Shanshan’s maximum wind speeds were 7.5 per cent stronger due to a warmer climate.

The study warns that such powerful storms are likely to become more common, potentially occurring nearly six times a decade.

Most major storms in recent years have been found to have made worse due to rising temperatures. Hot water in the ocean is known to intensify tropical storms like typhoons and hurricanes and ocean temperatures have been the highest on record in recent years.

Watch: Typhoon Yagi pulls glass from high-rise buildings

Saturday 7 September 2024 18:00 , Athena Stavrou

Shocking footage has shown the Typhoon Yagi, one of the most powerful in the region in a decade, making landfall in northern Vietnam on Saturday afternoon.

Video footage showed glass being ripped off from buildings by strong winds.

Why are storms getting stronger?

Saturday 7 September 2024 19:00 , Athena Stavrou

Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore said that storms like typhoon Yagi were “getting stronger due to climate change, primarily because warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel the storms, leading to increased wind speeds and heavier rainfall.”

Climate change was also causing storms to potentially move to different locations with studies by the observatory showing that the latitude where storms peaked in their intensity was shifting, exposing newer areas to the impacts of storms, he added.

Horton said that protecting natural systems ranging from reefs to rivers while building structures that were more resilient to strong winds and flying debris and improving existing infrastructure were all measures that could help countries better deal with strong typhoons.

Watch: Vietnam orders evacuations and closes airports as Typhoon Yagi approaches

Saturday 7 September 2024 20:00 , Athena Stavrou

Four dead in Vietnam as Yagi makes landfall

Saturday 7 September 2024 21:00 , Athena Stavrou

Vietnamese authorities have said Typhoon Yagi has now killed at least 4 people and injured 78 others after making landfall after making landfall Saturday afternoon in the north of the country.

Yagi, described by Vietnamese meteorological officials as “one of the most powerful typhoons in the region over the past decade,” made its way to the Southeast Asian country after it left three people dead and nearly a hundred others injured in the Chinese province of Hainan.

Mapped: Where has Typhoon Yagi been?

Saturday 7 September 2024 22:00 , Athena Stavrou

 (Nasa)
(Nasa)

How many people have died?

Saturday 7 September 2024 23:00 , Athena Stavrou

Typhoon Yagi has now killed at least 23 people and injured dozens after making its way through the Philippines, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

Yagi was still a storm when it blew out of the northwestern Philippines into the South China Sea on Wednesday, leaving at least 16 people dead and 17 others missing mostly in landslides and widespread flooding and affecting more than two million people.

Yagi struck the Chinese city of Wenchang in Hainan province on Friday afternoon with wind speeds of up to about 152mph near its centre. Local authorities said on Saturday the typhoon left three people dead and injured at least 92 others.

Some 420,000 Hainan residents were relocated before the typhoon’s landfall. Another half a million people in Guangdong province were evacuated before Yagi made a second landfall in the province’s Xuwen County on Friday night.

It made landfall in Vietnam on Saturday afternoon, and has now killed at least 4 people.

In pictures: Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in Vietnam

Sunday 8 September 2024 00:15 , Athena Stavrou

A handout photo made available by Vietnam News Agency shows a fallen tree due to the strong winds as typhoon Yagi makes landfall, in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)
A handout photo made available by Vietnam News Agency shows a fallen tree due to the strong winds as typhoon Yagi makes landfall, in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)
People hold umbrellas as they cross a street under the rain in Hanoi, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)
People hold umbrellas as they cross a street under the rain in Hanoi, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)
Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm so far this year, made landfall in northern Vietnam on 7 September (EPA)
Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm so far this year, made landfall in northern Vietnam on 7 September (EPA)

Southern China reels from Typhoon Yagi’s fury, one million affected

01:45 , Athena Stavrou

Typhoon Yagi made two landfalls in southern China on Friday, forcing the relocation of nearly one million people as it brought widespread destruction and disruption to the region.

The storm, which packed winds of up to 245kmph, made its first landfall in Hainan province’s Wenchang city at around 4.20pm, and a second landfall in Xuwen County in neighbouring Guangdong province on Friday night.

Ahead of the landfalls, authorities evacuated nearly 420,000 residents in Hainan and over 500,000 in Guangdong, with many more forced to flee their homes due to heavy rain, power outages, and strong winds. The storm caused widespread disruptions, including:- Suspended classes, work, transportation, and businesses in parts of the province as early as Wednesday evening

- Closed tourist attractions and grounded flights at three airports on the island

- Power outages, leaving and heavy rain across most of Hainan

- Strong winds buffeting the province’s iconic coconut trees

The residents were building sandbag barriers outside buildings to guard against possible floods and reinforcing their windows with tape.

Authorities issued top emergency response alerts, with state broadcaster CCTV reporting that Qinzhou city in Guangxi region also issued a top emergency response alert to guard against the typhoon. The storm was described as the strongest autumn typhoon to have landed in China by the country’s national meteorological authorities.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a vehicle moves past trees along a road in Haikou following the landfall of typhoon Yagi, in south China’s Hainan Province, Friday, 6 September 2024 (AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a vehicle moves past trees along a road in Haikou following the landfall of typhoon Yagi, in south China’s Hainan Province, Friday, 6 September 2024 (AP)

Vietnam orders evacuations and closes airports

03:00 , Athena Stavrou

Vietnam evacuated more than 50,000 people from coastal towns and deployed 450,000 military personnel, the government said.

It also suspended operations for several hours at four airports on Saturday, including Hanoi’s Noi Bai, the busiest in the north, which cancelled more than 300 flights.

High schools were also closed in 12 northern provinces, including in the capital Hanoi, which has a population of 8.5 million.

Authorities in the capital suspended public transport on buses and its two elevated metro lines on Saturday afternoon, state media reported. The meteorological agency has warned of risks of heavy flooding in the city centre.

Hanoi resident Nguyen Manh Quan, 40, said: “The wind is strong enough to blow a person over,” while Dang Van Phuong, also 40, said: “I’ve never seen a storm like this, you can’t drive in these winds.”

Where is the typhoon?

04:00 , Athena Stavrou

The typhoon landed at Vietnam’s coastal provinces of Quang Ninh and Haiphong with wind speeds of up to 149 kilometers per hour, state media reported. Before landing, strong winds felled a tree, killing a woman in the capital, Hanoi, local media said Saturday.

Quang Ninh is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, known for its many towering limestone islands. Hundreds of cruises were canceled at the popular site before the typhoon landed, according to local media.

Haiphong is an industrial hub, home to large factories, including EV maker VinFast and Apple supplier Pegatron.The typhoon has also triggered power outages in large parts of Quang Ninh and Thai Binh provinces.

A handout photo made available by Vietnam News Agency shows a fallen tree due to the strong winds as typhoon Yagi makes landfall, in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)
A handout photo made available by Vietnam News Agency shows a fallen tree due to the strong winds as typhoon Yagi makes landfall, in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, 07 September 2024 (EPA)

Why are storms getting stronger?

05:00 , Athena Stavrou

Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore said that storms like typhoon Yagi were “getting stronger due to climate change, primarily because warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel the storms, leading to increased wind speeds and heavier rainfall.”

Climate change was also causing storms to potentially move to different locations with studies by the observatory showing that the latitude where storms peaked in their intensity was shifting, exposing newer areas to the impacts of storms, he added.

Horton said that protecting natural systems ranging from reefs to rivers while building structures that were more resilient to strong winds and flying debris and improving existing infrastructure were all measures that could help countries better deal with strong typhoons.

In Pictures: Typhoon Yagi lashes northern Vietnam

05:35 , Maroosha Muzaffar

People stand near a devastated area following the impact of Typhoon Yagi, in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 8, 2024 (REUTERS)
People stand near a devastated area following the impact of Typhoon Yagi, in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 8, 2024 (REUTERS)
Cars are covered in debris at a parking lot after Super Typhoon Yagi hit Hai Phong on September 7, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)
Cars are covered in debris at a parking lot after Super Typhoon Yagi hit Hai Phong on September 7, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)
People take shelter under a bridge amid the impact of Typhoon Yagi, in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 7, 2024 (REUTERS)
People take shelter under a bridge amid the impact of Typhoon Yagi, in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 7, 2024 (REUTERS)

What is the difference between a typhoon and hurricane?

06:00 , Athena Stavrou

Here are a few commonly used weather terms and their definitions, which rely on material from the National Weather Service:

Hurricane or typhoon — A warm-core tropical cyclone in which the minimum sustained surface wind is 74 mph (119 kph) or more. Hurricanes are spawned east of the international date line. Typhoons develop west of the line. They are known as cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Australia.

Super typhoon — A typhoon in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 150 mph (241 kph) or more.

Tornado — A violent rotating column of air forming a pendant, usually from a cumulonimbus cloud, and touching the ground. On a local scale, it is the most destructive of all atmospheric phenomena. Tornadoes can appear from any direction, but in the U.S. most move from southwest to northeast. Measured on F-scale from EF0 to EF5, which considers 28 different types of damage to structures and trees. An EF2 or higher is considered a significant tornado.

Watch: Vietnam orders evacuations and closes airports as Typhoon Yagi approaches

07:00 , Athena Stavrou

Typhoon Yagi weakens after hitting Vietnam's capital Hanoi

08:59 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Typhoon Yagi weakened on Sunday after lashing Vietnam’s northern coastal region, flooding many neighbourhoods in Hanoi, downing thousands of trees and damaging houses, the government said.

Typhoon Yagi, one of Asia’s strongest storms this year hit northern Vietnam, killing at least four people after causing devastation in China and the Philippines.

Yagi made landfall in northern Vietnam yesterday afternoon with winds reaching 149 kmph. More than 70 people are reported injured.

Typhoon Yagi claims 14 lives in Vietnam

09:19 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm in Asia this year, has been downgraded to a tropical depression after causing widespread devastation in northern Vietnam, China's Hainan, and the Philippines.

The storm has claimed at least 14 lives in Vietnam, including four from a landslide in Hoa Binh province, and has caused significant power and telecommunications disruptions.

In Hainan, Yagi has resulted in four deaths and extensive damage, while the death toll in the Philippines has risen to 20.

Authorities warn of ongoing risks, including flooding and landslides, as the storm continues to weaken.

Hanoi struggles to recover after Typhoon Yagi

09:27 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is grappling with the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, which struck with unprecedented force on Saturday.

The storm has caused significant flooding, toppled trees, and disrupted power and telecommunications in the capital, Reuters reported.

Preliminary reports indicate at least three deaths in the city, with further casualties expected as recovery efforts continue.

People take shelter under a bridge amid the impact of Typhoon Yagi, in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 7, 2024 (REUTERS)
People take shelter under a bridge amid the impact of Typhoon Yagi, in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 7, 2024 (REUTERS)

Residents described the chaos, with trees falling on homes and streets, complicating cleanup efforts.

Despite the damage, Hanoi’s Noi Bai international airport has reopened, and authorities are working to restore normalcy in the affected areas.

Fear of flash floods and landslides in Vietnam

10:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Although Typhoon Yagi has weakened, the risk of flash floods and landslides continues to pose a threat to northern Vietnam and coastal regions, authorities said on Sunday.

The storm’s aftermath has led to dangerous conditions, including high waves and compromised infrastructure.

 (EPA)
(EPA)

Authorities are warning residents to remain cautious and prepare for potential further disruptions.

Four members of family killed in landslide triggered by Yagi

10:49 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Four members of a family lost their lives in a landslide caused by Super Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam’s Hoa Binh province on Saturday.

The powerful storm, which struck around midnight, buried a mother, daughter, and two grandchildren under debris when the hillside collapsed. The father, a 51-year-old man, was able to escape.

Yagi is the most powerful storm in Asia this year, making landfall on Vietnam’s northern coast on Saturday, killing at least 14 people.

Strong winds reaching 203 km/h (126 mph) caused extensive damage across northern Vietnam. Buildings were wrecked, vehicles were crushed by debris, and falling trees triggered power outages, including in the capital, Hanoi.

Meteorologists caution against flash floods and landslides

11:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Typhoon Yagi has killed 14 people and injured 176 in northern Vietnam, with officials warning of ongoing heavy rain.

The storm left over three million people without power and damaged 116,192 hectares of agricultural land, according to local reports.

Although Yagi has weakened into a tropical depression, meteorologists caution against floods, flash floods in streams, and landslides on steep slopes, particularly in northern and central regions.

Vietnam Asia Typhoon
Vietnam Asia Typhoon

Cleanup efforts in Hanoi are underway after the storm’s destruction.

Before reaching Vietnam, Yagi caused deadly landslides and flooding in the Philippines, leaving 20 dead, and also hit China, killing three people.

Hanoi struggles to recover after Typhoon Yagi

11:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is grappling with the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, which struck with unprecedented force on Saturday.

The storm has caused significant flooding, toppled trees, and disrupted power and telecommunications in the capital, Reuters reported.

Preliminary reports indicate at least three deaths in the city, with further casualties expected as recovery efforts continue.

Residents described the chaos, with trees falling on homes and streets, complicating cleanup efforts.

Despite the damage, Hanoi’s Noi Bai international airport has reopened, and authorities are working to restore normalcy in the affected areas.

More than three million left without electricity in Vietnam

12:30 , Namita Singh

Typhoon Yagi, described by Vietnamese officials as one of the strongest to hit the region in a decade, has left a trail of destruction in northern Vietnam.

It knocked out electricity for over three million people, ravaged vital agricultural land, and forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

The storm made landfall on Saturday afternoon, bringing winds of up to 149 kmph to the coastal provinces of Quang Ninh and Haiphong. It raged for 15 hours before weakening into a tropical depression on Sunday morning.

In its wake, Yagi has left:- Three million people without electricity

- 116,192 hectares of agricultural land damaged, threatening rice and fruit crops

- Four airports closed, with hundreds of flights cancelled

- A heightened risk of floods, flash floods, and landslides in low-lying areas and steep slopes

A man checks his damaged boat after Super Typhoon Yagi hit Ha Long bay, in Quang Ninh province, on 8 September 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)
A man checks his damaged boat after Super Typhoon Yagi hit Ha Long bay, in Quang Ninh province, on 8 September 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

Vietnam’s meteorological department has warned of continued heavy rain in northern and central provinces, urging caution and preparedness.