Super Typhoon Yagi Kills 4 in Vietnam
After making landfall in northern Vietnam, Super Typhoon Yagi—the strongest typhoon to hit Asia this year—has left at least four people dead.
With gusts of up to 203 km/h (126 mph), the storm made landfall in the provinces of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh early on Saturday, according to the Indo-Pacific Tropical Cyclone Warning Center.
Buildings and cars have been damaged by strong winds and flying debris, and falling trees have caused power outages in Hanoi, the country's capital.
According to state media, one person died in Hai Duong, which is close to Hanoi, while three more died in the northern province of Quang Ninh on Saturday. It's estimated that 78 persons have been hurt in the area.
Metal roof sheets and commercial sign boards were reportedly spotted flying around Hai Phong, according to news agency AFP.
It comes after Yagi wreaked havoc on the island of Hainan - a popular tourist destination dubbed China's Hawaii - on Friday.
At least three people have died in China due to the storm, and nearly 100 injured.
The city of Hai Phong on the coast of northern Vietnam has a population of two million and has faced the brunt of the storm.
Power outages hit parts of the city, home to multinational factories, on Saturday while four of the north's airports have suspended operations for much of the day.
Nearly 50,000 people have been evacuated from coastal towns in Vietnam with authorities issuing a stay indoors warning.
Schools have been closed in 12 northern provinces, including in the capital Hanoi.
On Friday, China evacuated some 400,000 people in Hainan island ahead of Yagi's arrival. Trains, boats and flights were suspended, while schools were shut.
Local media there reported widespread power outages, with about 830,000 households affected. Valuable crops have also been wiped out.
Videos on Chinese social media show windows being ripped out from tower blocks on Hainan.
A super typhoon is equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane.
Yagi is the second strongest typhoon so far this year and has doubled in strength since it hit northern Philippines early this week.
At least 13 people were killed in the northern Philippines by floods and landslides caused by Yagi, forcing hundreds of residents to flee to safer ground.
According to scientists, climate change is making typhoons and storms stronger and more frequent. Higher wind speeds are caused by storms gaining more energy due to warmer ocean waters.
Additionally, a warmer environment retains more moisture, which may result in heavier rainstorms.