Super Typhoon Yagi slammed into southern China’s Hainan island on Friday ( Sep 6 ) bringing winds of over 230kmh in what is expected to be the strongest storm to hit the area in over a decade.
Hainan province evacuated over 400, 000 people ahead of the tide’s expected land, while tens of thousands prepared to seek sanctuary in neighbouring Vietnam.
Yagi, which was still classified as a tropical storm, earlier this week in the Philippines, claimed at least 13 lives and caused mudslides and floods on the island’s main area, Luzon, before turning into a super typhoon over the past few times.
The wind made land in China on Friday along the coastline of Hainan- a favorite holiday destination- and neighbouring Guangdong province, at 4.20pm native time, the state-run Xinhua news agency said, citing authorities.
The tornado “is similar to a Category 4 hurricane”, according to NASA Earth Data.
Following immediately heavy rains, a tornado caution that had been in effect was reduced in Hong Kong shortly after noon as Yagi passed within 400 kilometers of the city.
Buying at Hong Kong’s share exchange was suspended on Friday, and evening schools were closed.
Authorities reported that five people were hurt in the area as a result of the weather, but the injury was minor.