A popular tourist island south of mainland China has been hit by the most powerful typhoon in a decade, leaving the area facing potentially catastrophic winds and torrential rain. According to state media, the 11th typhoon of the year, Yagi, slammed into Wenchang city in the north-east of Hainan island with winds of 223 km per hour at 16:00 hrs local time today.

Local authorities said the southern Chinese province of Hainan had relocated over 4 lakh residents ahead of Yagi’s arrival. Operations at multiple tourist attraction sites have been suspended, and traffic control measures have been implemented in the province. The world’s longest sea crossing, the main bridge linking Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai in Guangdong, was also closed.

Meteorologists say Yagi may cause “catastrophic” damage in Hainan and neighbouring Guangdong, which is also China’s most populous province.

Yagi is not just due to hit China but is also expected to make landfall in northern Vietnam late on Saturday in a weakened state.

A super typhoon is equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane.
Yagi, which has doubled in strength after wreaking havoc in northern Philippines early this week, is the second strongest typhoon so far this year.