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Tropical Storm Yagi is steadily intensifying because it strikes northwest throughout the South China Sea, after leaving a path of devastation within the Philippines.
The extreme tropical storm intensified additional on Wednesday, reaching most sustained winds of 100kmph and gusts reaching as much as 125kmph.
It changed into a extreme tropical storm on Tuesday and is predicted to additional intensify right into a hurricane because it approaches southern China’s Hainan Island later this week.
Regardless of the storm’s exit from the Philippines, heavy rainfall – as much as 100mm – was nonetheless forecasted to lash elements of Luzon within the north.
The storm has already claimed at the very least 14 lives within the Philippines, inflicting heavy rainfall and landslides earlier than transferring in direction of the west.
The upcoming arrival of Yagi has triggered alerts in southern China, the place heavy rainfall, robust winds, and tough seas are anticipated.
Authorities in Hong Kong are making ready for the storm, with warnings of deteriorating climate situations, together with squally showers and swells, over the following few days. Town, recognized for its sturdy hurricane preparedness, is bracing for doubtlessly extreme impacts as Yagi attracts nearer.
Hong Kong’s Observatory has issued degree one hurricane warning and indicated there was a “comparatively excessive” probability of this being upgraded to degree three – in a five-point scale – on Wednesday, in accordance with SCMP.
The forecaster’s storm tracker reveals Yagi passing inside 400km of Hong Kong on Thursday, with additional intensification right into a extreme hurricane anticipated by Friday.
Within the Philippines, the place the storm is regionally generally known as Enteng, the harm has been extreme. Landslides, floods, and powerful winds have triggered widespread destruction, notably within the northern areas.
Within the vacationer metropolis of Antipolo a landslide killed three individuals, together with a pregnant lady, whereas floodwaters claimed the lives of 4 others. The storm has additionally triggered intensive disruption to transportation, with flights cancelled and sea journey suspended, leaving 1000’s stranded.
Learn extra in regards to the storm’s affect on the Philippines right here.
Even because the storm handed via into the ocean, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Providers Administration (PAGASA) continued to challenge warnings on Tuesday, predicting extra heavy rainfall and attainable landslides within the northern and central areas within the coming days. The capital, Manila, stays on excessive alert, with faculties suspended and authorities workplaces closed.