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Tropical Storm Yagi is steadily intensifying as it moves northwest across the South China Sea, after leaving a trail of devastation in the Philippines.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Yagi had become a severe tropical storm and was centred about 330km (205 miles) southeast of Dongsha islands, with sustained winds of up to 75kmph (47mph) and gusts reaching 125 kmph (78mph).
The storm is expected to further intensify into a typhoon as it approaches southern China and Hainan Island later this week.
The storm has already claimed at least 14 lives in the Philippines, causing heavy rainfall and landslides before moving off the archipelago to towards the west.
The impending arrival of Yagi has triggered alerts in southern China, where heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas are anticipated.
Authorities in Hong Kong are preparing for the storm, with warnings of deteriorating weather conditions, including squally showers and swells, over the next few days. The city, known for its robust typhoon preparedness, is bracing for potentially severe impacts as Yagi draws nearer.
Hong Kong’s Observatory has issued level one typhoon warning and indicated there was a “relatively high” chance of this being upgraded to level three – in a five-point scale – later this week, according to SCMP.
The forecaster’s storm tracker shows Yagi passing within 400km of Hong Kong on Thursday, with further intensification into a severe typhoon expected by Friday.
In the Philippines, where the storm is locally known as Enteng, the damage has been severe. Landslides, floods, and strong winds have caused widespread destruction, particularly in the northern regions.
In the tourist city of Antipolo a landslide killed three people, including a pregnant woman, while floodwaters claimed the lives of four others. The storm has also caused extensive disruption to transportation, with flights cancelled and sea travel suspended, leaving thousands stranded.
Read more about the storm’s impact on the Philippines here.
Even as the storm passed through into the sea, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) continued to issue warnings on Tuesday, predicting more heavy rainfall and possible landslides in the northern and central regions in the coming days. The capital, Manila, remains on high alert, with schools suspended and government offices closed.
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