Two Killed, 92 Injured As Super Typhoon Yagi Wreaks Havoc In Southern China

Beijing: Super Typhoon Yagi killed two people leaving 92 injured with heavy rain and gusty winds in south China’s island province of Hainan, local authorities reported on Saturday. Yagi is the 11th typhoon of this year which made two landfalls in China on Friday, first striking Hainan and later Guangdong province.  The Chinese government declared a red alert on Friday and warned citizens about the floods in the southern region. The typhoon is now expected to hit China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and northern Vietnam. 
As per the Hong Kong-based South China Morning post report, about more than one million people have been evacuated from the affected areas with work, class and business suspended and over 100 flights cancelled on Friday. Heavy rain and gusty winds pounded Hainan, with its epicenter at Wenchang City leading to power outrages in many areas of the city. 
The Typhoon videos circulating on social media capture fallen billboards, destroyed roofs and outturned vehicles everywhere. Residents shared that it was a horrible experience to see the windows of their homes smashed and furniture waterlogged by the storm. While some said they were worried about stray cats and dogs, the Post reported.
According to the Hainan Meteorological Service, the wind speed of the Typhoon was up to about 25km/h (152mph) near its centre that caused a landfall in Wenchang around 4pm on Friday. From 1949 to 2023, 106 typhoons landed in Hainan but only nine were classified as super typhoons.
Following Yagi’s landing in Zhanjiang city on Friday, Wang Weizhong, the provincial governor of Guangdong, urged local authorities to “spare no effort” and “win the hard battle” against it. The storm is predicted to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Pearl River Delta and western Guangdong province on Saturday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged for more disaster relief efforts after the typhoon struck the country’s southern region.
(With PTI inputs)