Super Typhoon Yagi hit China’s Hainan Island on Friday, with wind speeds reaching 234 km per hour. As the storm intensified, it caused widespread destruction, halting transportation and cutting off power. Consequently, residents were forced into emergency shelters. Known as “China’s Hawaii,” Hainan is usually a major tourist hub, but Yagi’s impact has left the island paralyzed. Notably, Yagi ranks as the second-most powerful storm of 2024, following Hurricane Beryl in the Atlantic.
Evacuations and Power Failures Grip the Island
In preparation for the storm, authorities evacuated more than 574,000 people before Yagi made landfall. During the storm, over 830,000 homes were left without power, creating significant challenges for residents. While emergency repair teams have already begun working to restore electricity, the process is expected to take some time. Moreover, schools, businesses, and airports across southern China, including Hong Kong and Macau, remain closed. The heavy rain and strong winds have severely damaged infrastructure, leaving local authorities scrambling to restore safety.
Typhoon Threatens Global Supply Chains
Furthermore, Yagi’s destruction could have serious implications for global supply chains. Since China plays a key role as a manufacturing hub, disruptions in the region could affect international businesses. For example, companies like Apple rely on Chinese factories to produce products such as the new iPhone 16. As a result of the storm, production and shipping delays are now expected, sparking concerns about the global impact. This highlights how natural disasters like Yagi can affect not only local regions but also industries worldwide.
As southern China braces for potential future storms, Yagi serves as a reminder of the growing dangers posed by extreme weather events. This powerful typhoon underscores the importance of building greater resilience to climate-related disasters.
