South China Sea: Super Typhoon Yagi tracking westward across the South China Sea towards far southern China as of early Sept. 6 /update 6

Super Typhoon Yagi, known in the Philippines as Enteng, is tracking westward across the South China Sea towards far southern China early Sept. 6. The storm previously made landfall over northern Aurora Province in the Phillippines early Sept. 2 and crossed the north of the country through early Sept. 3. As of 11:00 CST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 687 km (427 miles) east-southeast of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Forecast models indicate that the storm will make landfall over northern Hainan Province late Sept. 6. The system is expected to weaken into a typhoon as it tracks west-northwestward over the Gulf of Tonkin late Sept. 6-early Sept. 7 before making another landfall as a typhoon over Quang Ninh Province in northeastern Vietnam late Sept. 7. After landfall, Yagi is likely to weaken rapidly into a tropical storm as it tracks westward across northern Vietnam and far northern Laos through late Sept. 8 before dissipating over far southern Yunnan Province in China early Sept. 9. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur in the coming days.

As of early Sept. 6, the China Meteorological Administration has issued a red (the highest level on a four-tier scale) typhoon warning; heavy to torrential rain is likely across parts of southern China, while strong winds are forecast over coastal areas of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces. The heaviest rainfall of 25-50 cm (10-20 inches) is likely over Hainan, southwestern Guangdong, and southern Guangxi provinces. Orange rainstorm, blue severe convective weather, and red, orange, and yellow waterlogging warnings are also in place over parts of far southern China.

The Vietnam National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) has warned of thunderstorms in northeastern Vietnam and from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue provinces on Sept. 6. Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall with totals of 10-35 cm (4-14 inches) are forecast late Sept. 6-early Sept. 9, with the heaviest rainfall over the northeast Sept. 7 and in the northwest the evening of Sept. 7-8. Thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. Strong winds over northeastern Vietnam are likely, with the strongest winds over the coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa provinces. Rough seas are likely over the coastal regions from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa provinces late Sept. 6-early Sept. 7, with waves of up to 5 meters (16 feet) near the center of the storm. Coastal areas from Thanh Hoa to Quang Ninh provinces should be on guard against storm surges; the highest storm surge of up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) is forecast over Quang Ninh Province.

Guangdong province has upgraded its emergency response level to the highest for strong winds. Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) has suspended all flights 20:00 Sept. 5-23:59 Sept. 6. Dozens of flights have also been canceled at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport (ZUH) in Guangdong Province, Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), and Macau International Airport (MFM). Trains and ferries on Hainan Island suspended operations Sept. 5-7, including across the Qiongzhou Strait. Authorities in Hainan have suspended work and schools since Sept. 5. Many other schools across southern China are closed, and public transport is experiencing suspensions or reduced services across the region. Beaches and coastal tourist attractions across Hainan Island and Guangdong Province are closed. Officials have suspended ferry services connecting Macau to Hong Kong and Wanzai in Guangdong, as well as the main bridge linking Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai in Guangdong, until further notice. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) has suspended trading due to the storm's approach. Authorities opened around 30 temporary shelters in Hong Kong for people in need.

Van Don (VDO), Cat Bi International (HPH), Noi Bai International (HAN), and Tho Xuan (THD) airports plan to suspend operations Sept. 7. Authorities in Hai Phong have ordered all vessels to safely move to their anchorage locations by the afternoon of Sept. 6. Travel agencies in Vietnam have canceled tours in Ha Long and Lan Ha bays.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.