Another Major Typhoon is Heading Towards South China

By Matthew Bossons, October 30, 2018

Typhoon Yutu is currently predicted to enter the South China Sea this evening, according to current weather predictions. The storm was previously categorized as a super typhoon when it battered Saipan and Tinian of the Northern Mariana Islands with 270-kilometer-per-hour winds on October 24 and 25. Yutu has since weakened significantly.

According to Channel News Asia, Typhoon Yutu was the most powerful storm to hit the Northern Marianas in half a century. One person was killed during the storm and many residents living on the archipelago have been left without power or gas. Elections on the American territory have also been delayed in the storm’s aftermath.

Yutu made landfall on the Philippines’ main island of Luzon early this morning and traveled across the island today with wind speeds of 140 kilometers per hour and gusts of 230 kilometers per hour. Thousands were evacuated in anticipation of the storm.

There have been no reports of death or major damage in Luzon at press time.

Screengrab via typhoon.zjwater.gov.cn

Current forecasts indicate the storm will travel towards the Pearl River Delta before turning north on November 1. While the storm does not appear set to make landfall in the province, its outer bands will likely bring wind and rain to Chaozhou, in eastern Guangdong province, on November 3 or 4.

In anticipation of Yutu, Guangdong province has released a notice to make appropriate preparations for the typhoon and begin flood prevention operations, according to GRT Radio.

Yutu’s race towards South China comes less than two months after Typhoon Mangkhut unleashed widespread devestation on the Greater Bay Area, flooding homes and businesses and leaving entire neighborhoods without power. Mangkhut was also responsible for at least four deaths in the province.

Flooding in Guangzhou caused by Typhoon Mangkhut. Image via Prakash Mahtani