Super Typhoon Yagi threatens Hong Kong and Southern China

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • Super Typhoon Yagi, with winds up to 205 km/h, approaches Hong Kong and Southern China after causing at least 15 deaths in the Philippines, prompting storm warnings and school closures.
  • Hong Kong's $5 trillion stock market may face closure if a higher storm signal is issued, potentially marking the last such closure as the city plans to change its market closure policy for typhoons on September 23.
  • The typhoon's approach has broader implications, including flight cancellations, emergency preparedness measures, and renewed discussions about climate change and its impact on the frequency and intensity of tropical storms in the region.

Super Typhoon Yagi approached Hong Kong and Southern China after killing at least 15 people in the Philippines and forced hundreds to escape for safety.

The devastating impact of Yagi in the Philippines has raised concerns about its potential effects on Hong Kong and Southern China. Local authorities have been working tirelessly to prepare for the typhoon's arrival, implementing emergency response plans and mobilizing resources to mitigate potential damage. Residents in coastal areas have been advised to take necessary precautions and stay informed about the latest weather updates.

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, Yagi is traveling towards China's Hainan island and Vietnam, with maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour near its center.

Meteorologists are closely monitoring the typhoon's trajectory, as its path could have significant implications for the region's infrastructure and economy. The intense wind speeds associated with Yagi have raised concerns about potential damage to buildings, power lines, and transportation networks. Emergency services are on high alert, ready to respond to any crisis situations that may arise as the typhoon makes landfall.

On September 4 evening, the weather bureau issued a storm warning signal 3 - the second-lowest on its five-point scale - and predicted that the weather over Guangdong's coast will deteriorate on September 5 and 6. The observatory stated that it will evaluate the necessity to issue a higher alert.

If the weather office issues a storm signal 8, the third-highest warning, the city's US$5 trillion (S$6.5 trillion) stock market will be closed for at least part of the day. However, it may be the final typhoon to compel a market closure: the financial hub will discontinue its decades-long habit of closing markets during typhoons and significant storms on September 23.

The potential impact on Hong Kong's financial markets has sparked discussions among economists and investors about the broader economic implications of severe weather events. Some experts argue that the city's decision to discontinue market closures during typhoons reflects a growing need to maintain global competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected financial landscape. However, critics worry that this move may prioritize economic interests over public safety and well-being.

On September 5, the city stopped kindergartens and special needs schools, according to a statement from the Hong Kong government. Hong Kong Express Airways, a budget carrier, has cancelled six flights due to the typhoon.

The closure of schools and disruption to air travel highlight the far-reaching effects of Typhoon Yagi on daily life in Hong Kong. Local businesses are bracing for potential losses, while residents are stocking up on essential supplies in preparation for possible power outages and transportation disruptions. Social media platforms have been flooded with images and videos of people securing their homes and properties, underscoring the community's resilience in the face of natural disasters.

At 6 a.m. local time, Yagi was assessed to be around 400 kilometers south-southeast of Hong Kong, and it is expected to move west at 12 kilometers per hour across the northern half of the South China Sea, intensifying further, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.

As Yagi continues its westward trajectory, neighboring countries are also on high alert. Vietnam and Hainan Island are preparing for potential landfall, with local authorities issuing evacuation orders for vulnerable coastal areas. The international community has expressed solidarity with the affected regions, with several countries offering assistance and support in the aftermath of the typhoon. Climate scientists are pointing to Yagi as yet another example of the increasing frequency and intensity of tropical storms, reigniting discussions about the urgent need for global action on climate change.


In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendAugust 2, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Why working in the dark boosts creativity for some people

It begins quietly. The world slows. The room empties of sound. Maybe it’s just past midnight, or maybe dawn hasn’t broken yet. Either...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendAugust 2, 2025 at 1:00:00 AM

What to do in an active shooter incident—beyond ‘Run, Hide, Fight’

You probably know the phrase by now. It’s posted on the back of restroom doors at airports, on laminated cards in classrooms, on...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendJuly 31, 2025 at 6:30:00 PM

What it’s really like to operate a nuclear submarine

Most people think nuclear submarines are all about weapons. In reality, they’re about precision. Everything—from the way the crew sleeps to the way...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendJuly 30, 2025 at 11:00:00 PM

Dinosaurs may have grouped with different species for safety

In the imagination of most people, dinosaurs are solitary beasts or members of tightly defined herds—T. rex alone in the shadows, herds of...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendJuly 30, 2025 at 7:00:00 PM

The meaning of "preaching to the choir" might surprise you

You’re fired up. You’ve crafted the perfect argument about something that matters—maybe it’s a rant about algorithmic bias, a defense of your favorite...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendJuly 28, 2025 at 2:00:00 PM

Why the Good Morning towel represents the working spirit of Asia

In a tiled kitchen somewhere in Singapore, a red-and-white towel hangs on a hook, slightly faded from years of sun and soap. It’s...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendJuly 27, 2025 at 11:00:00 PM

This is the real reason why people believe in superstitions

You’ve probably done it without thinking. Tapped a piece of wood after saying something hopeful. Stepped around a ladder even when there was...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendJuly 27, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM

Why some people are left-handed

There’s something quietly fascinating about a left-handed person. You notice it when they angle their notebook sideways to write, when they bump elbows...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendJuly 27, 2025 at 12:30:00 AM

Ever wonder why February is so short?

Every year, when February rolls around, something feels slightly off. Maybe it’s the way the month ends too soon, or how it disrupts...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendJuly 27, 2025 at 12:00:00 AM

The real meaning behind the peace sign

You’ve seen it a thousand times. On earrings. In emojis. Tattooed on someone’s ankle. Two fingers up in a photo captioned “vibes.” The...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendJuly 26, 2025 at 9:30:00 PM

Is Santa real? The cultural myth we keep believing

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, a strange ritual unfolds in countless homes across the world. Parents sneak around their houses in...

In Trend
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendJuly 25, 2025 at 12:30:00 AM

Why heads-up pennies are lucky, according to folklore

Some superstitions never go out of style. No matter how digital our lives get, there’s still something irresistible about picking up a coin...

Load More