Typhoon Yagi

Preparations

Philippines

Highest Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal

As the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) started to track Yagi (known as "Enteng" in the Philippines) as a tropical depression on September 1, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised in Albay; Biliran; Burias Island; Eastern Samar; Masbate; Northern Samar; Sorsogon; Ticao Island; northeastern portion of Leyte; eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela; southern portions of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya; and northern Quezon. Shortly after Yagi became a tropical storm, PAGASA raised Signal No. 2 for the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, the entire province of Abra; Apayao; Babuyan Islands; Cagayan; Camarines Norte; Catanduanes; Ilocos Norte; Ifugao; Isabela; Kalinga; Mountain Province; Polillo Islands; Quirino, and northern portions of Aurora; Ilocos Sur; and Nueva Vizcaya. At their next bulletin, the agency also added Batanes; Benguet; La Union; Nueva Ecija; Rizal; Laguna; Marinduque, some parts of Batangas; Bulacan; Pampanga; and Pangasinan, as well as Metro Manila to Signal No. 1 because of gusty winds and heavy rains caused by the storm. By September 4, most signals were lowered by PAGASA as the storm left the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Classes in Metro Manila and multiple provinces across Luzon and the Visayas were suspended on September 2 and 3. Several domestic flights to Bicol, Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, the Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula were also cancelled at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, while operations at six regional airports were suspended. Forced evacuations were ordered in Naga, Camarines Sur. An evacuation advisory was raised for the Marikina River after water levels reached 16 metres (52 ft). Salvage operations for the MT Terranova, which sank in Manila Bay and caused an oil spill during Typhoon Gaemi (locally called Carina) in July, were also suspended. The Premier Volleyball League postponed the championship match of its 2024 Reinforced Conference originally scheduled on September 2. The Government Service Insurance System prepared emergency loan programs for calamity-hit individuals. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 80,842 people were preemptively evacuated.

China

In preparation for Yagi, schools were closed across Hainan Province on September 5 and suspensions to local transport and shipping occurred the following day. The storm was expected to make landfall near Qionghai. In Guangdong Province, all coastal attractions and activities were cancelled along with flights at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport. More than 420,000 people were evacuated in Hainan, while nearly 500,000 others were evacuated in Guangdong. Emergency warnings were also issued in southern coastal parts of Guangxi Province.

On September 3, the Hong Kong Observatory hoisted Standby Signal No. 1 over Hong Kong as Yagi approached the territory at the strength of a Category 4 typhoon. The following day, Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was raised, and six HK Express flights were rescheduled. More than 100 flights were also cancelled. A Northeast Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 was raised in the early evening on September 5. All trading in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was cancelled on September 6. The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge was also closed to traffic.

Dozens of flights at the Macau International Airport on Taipa island were cancelled. Schools were closed and ferry services to Hong Kong Island were suspended. All three bridges connecting the Macau Peninsula with Taipa were closed, while Signal No. 8 was raised over the territory.

Vietnam

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting forecast Typhoon Yagi to make landfall in Vietnam between the Quảng Ninh and Haiphong areas. In response, authorities advised against fishing in hazardous waters, organizing outdoor gatherings, and recommended strengthening home defenses and inspecting dykes, especially at landing sites. Twelve northern provinces ordered schools to close in anticipation of the impacts of the typhoon, covering at least 6.5 million students including in Haiphong, Quảng Ninh, Bắc Giang, Nam Định, Thái Bình, Hanoi, Hà Nam, Phú Thọ, and Ninh Bình. All coastal localities from Quảng Ninh to Nghệ An banned vessels from operating, and approximately 310 domestic and international flights scheduled for September 7 were cancelled. Nearly 50,000 people were evacuated from coastal areas of northern Vietnam.

Airports including Nội Bài (Hanoi), Cát Bi (Haiphong), Vân Đồn (Quảng Ninh), and Thọ Xuân (Thanh Hóa) were asked to temporarily suspend operations on September 7 during specific time periods. By the morning of September 6, one day before the typhoon was officially expected to make landfall in Vietnam, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính issued an urgent directive to numerous provinces and cities as well as to the relevant ministers, urging them to take prompt action to respond to and minimize the damage caused by the storm. Ferry services between the mainland and Phú Quốc in southern Vietnam were also suspended starting from September 6. The Ministry of Industry and Trade instructed local authorities to stockpile essential goods for five to ten days. Twelve rail routes in the North–south railway system were suspended. The People's Army of Vietnam mobilized 460,000 personnel to help in disaster response. A friendly football match between Thailand and Russia scheduled at Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi on September 7 was cancelled.

Elsewhere

Heavy rain and flooding warnings were issued in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Rainfall was also expected to impact parts of Myanmar bordering Laos and Thailand. A flood warning was issued by the Mekong River Commission in Luang Prabang on September 12. Flood warnings were also issued for September 14 in Vientiane, Nong Khai, and Chiang Khan.

Impact

Philippines

Yagi, combined with the effects of the southwest monsoon, resulted in 21 deaths, 22 injuries and 26 people missing. Yagi caused flooding in Metro Manila, and in the provinces of Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Laguna, Northern Samar, Pangasinan, and Rizal. In Manila Bay, several ships ran aground off the coast of Navotas, while two others collided with each other, causing a fire on one of the vessels. A barge also ran aground in Rosario, Cavite.

In Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Bulacan, around 28,000 people lost electricity. The NDRRMC reported that the storm impacted 2,828,710 people and displaced 80,842, resulting in total damages amounting to ₱2.96 billion (US$52.4 million). This includes ₱2.26 billion (US$40 million) in agricultural losses, and ₱699 million (US$12.4 million) in infrastructural damage. The storm affected 7,622 homes, with 493 completely destroyed, caused power outages in 65 cities and municipalities, blocked roads in 175 locations, and rendered 31 bridges impassable.

Additionally, the storm damaged 37,471 hectares (92,590 acres) of crops. The Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Benguet, as well as the Bustos and Ipo Dams in Bulacan were opened to offset rising water levels brought by Yagi, while the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City overflowed, raising concerns about flooding in the Tullahan River. Although Yagi moved farther from the Philippine Area of Responsibility, its trough continued to bring rainfall to Northern Luzon. On September 4, the small asteroid 2024 RW1, provisionally known as CAQTDL2 and measuring about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in size, entered Earth's atmosphere over the Philippines; it was discovered by Jacqueline Fazekas at the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey, though observing the resulting fireball from the ground was challenging due to Typhoon Yagi.

China

An automatic weather station in the Qizhou Islands [zh] recorded sustained winds of 60.9 m/s (219 km/h) and wind gusts up to 74.5 m/s (268 km/h). On Hainan Island, wind gusts reached 66.7 m/s (240 km/h) in Longlou (Wenchang) and 62.2 m/s (224 km/h) in Qiatou (Chengmai). In Nanshan (Xuwen), sustained winds reached 46.5 m/s (167 km/h) with gusts to 61.3 m/s (221 km/h). Four people were killed and 95 sustained injuries in Hainan after Yagi made landfall on the island. Power outages affecting about 830,000 households and downed trees were also reported. By September 7, 1.2 million people were still left without power. Nearly all of Hainan experienced rainfall exceeding 200 millimetres (7.9 in), with Haikou recording about 525 millimetres (20.7 in) of rain. Chinese authorities estimated that economic losses in Hainan reached ¥80 billion (US$11.3 billion). Around 57,000 houses were destroyed or damaged on the island. In Zhanjiang (Guangdong Province) total damaged reached 3.3 billion yuan (US$470 million). Later, the estimated economic loss was revised to ¥72.03 billion (US$10 billion).

Yagi also caused flooding in Yunnan Province, affecting 814 households and resulting in the relocation of 2,130 residents in Hekou Yao Autonomous County, located on the Red River on the border with Vietnam. Heavy rainfall also caused the Zuo River in Guangxi to rise, flooding the provincial capital Nanning.

In Hong Kong, Yagi injured nine people and displaced 270. There were 79 reports of fallen trees. A waterspout was reported in the eastern waters of the territory on September 6. Total economic losses in Hong Kong amounted to HK$37.5 million (US$4.83 million).

Two people were injured and ten others were displaced in Macau.

Vietnam

Before Typhoon Yagi made landfall in the country, severe weather related to the storm killed one person and uprooted trees in Ho Chi Minh City on September 4. Some roofs were blown off along with some electric poles in Bình Dương province, causing power outages in some areas on September 4. On September 6, the storm uprooted trees, roofs and signboards across the country, resulting in three deaths and seven injuries.

According to a prior report by Vietnam, when Yagi made landfall in Haiphong and Quảng Ninh Province on September 7, maximum sustained wind speeds of 50 m/s (180 km/h) and peak gusts of 63 m/s (227 km/h) were observed at a weather station in Bãi Cháy. However, in a later revision, maximum sustained wind speeds in the report were reduced to 45 m/s (162 km/h), while peak gusts were reduced to 62 m/s (223 km/h). Hoàng Đức Cường, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration, said that this was the first time Vietnam had ever recorded such violent winds on land. Typhoon-force winds were also recorded by stations on Bạch Long Vĩ, Cô Tô islands, and inland stations of Haiphong and Quảng Ninh Province; while tropical storm-force winds were recorded in Hải Dương, Hưng Yên, Bắc Ninh, Bắc Giang, Vĩnh Phúc, and Thái Bình provinces.

Yagi killed at least 321 people, injured 1,978 and left 24 missing. At least 126 of the deaths were recorded in Lào Cai province alone. At least 130,000 people were displaced nationwide. Over 241,000 houses were damaged across the country, while floodwaters submerged 84,000 houses, and 280,000 hectares (690,000 acres) of crops and destroyed 1,000 fisheries. Damage also occurred to 2,350 schools and 745 health facilities. UNICEF estimated that three million people across the country were at risk of disease due to the lack of drinking water and sanitation, while two million children were in need of access to education, psychosocial support, and school feeding programmes.

In Hanoi, four people died, 6,521 buildings were damaged and over 100,000 trees were uprooted. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that 1.5 million fowl and 2,500 other livestock were killed in flooding. Power outages also occurred in Quảng Ninh and Thái Bình. Parts of Haiphong were submerged in 0.5 metres (1 ft 8 in) of water, and two people were killed there.

In Quảng Ninh, 29 people were killed, 1,609 were injured and 102,467 houses were damaged or destroyed. At least 30 boats were sunk or severely damaged in the province. Cát Bà Island, a popular tourist destination in Hạ Long Bay, was devastated; 4,700 buildings and 21 ships were damaged, including 130 buildings severely damaged or destroyed and 18 ships sunk. The island suffered a total loss of power, water, internet and cell service; transportation links with the mainland were completely severed for three days until ferry services resumed on September 9.

Quảng Ninh was the hardest hit province across the nation, with an estimated loss of 28 trillion đồng (US$1.14 billion), while the fishing sector of Vân Đồn district, Quảng Ninh reported equipment losses of 2.2 trillion đồng (US$89.4 million),. The City Council of Haiphong reported that the city sustained an estimated 13 trillion đồng (US$528 million) worth of damage on infrastructures and agriculture. PVI Insurance Corporation reported that preliminary insured losses of the company's customers caused by the typhoon had surpassed 2 trillion đồng (US$81.3 million) by September 11. The company itself is still working to assess total payouts. Stock values of many insurance companies plunged down between 1% and 4.6% at the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange on September 10 as the result of Yagi's damage. Insured losses overall due to the typhoon are estimated at 11.6 trillion đồng (US$471 million). In the final report, the government estimated the cost of the typhoon was exceeding 84.543 trillion đồng (US$3.47 billion, 2024 USD). According to Vietnamnet, this is equivalent to 0.62% of Vietnam's 2023 GDP and estimates suggest that the country's 2024 GDP may drop by about 0.24%.

In the northern midlands and mountain highlands, water levels in several rivers reached dangerously high levels. Widespread downpours resulted in average rainfall of 400–600 millimetres (16–24 in) in provinces such as Lào Cai, Yên Bái, and Thái Nguyên, with some areas receiving nearly 800 millimetres (31 in), triggering catastrophic flooding. The cities of Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Thái Nguyên, Thất Khê and parts of Bắc Giang, Bắc Ninh, Hà Nội were heavily flooded. The deluge caused deep inundation, widespread landslides, and paralysed transport networks, isolating numerous communities. Dozens died while relief and rescue works were hampered. Widespread power outages occurred in Lào Cai, Cao Bằng, and Bắc Kạn provinces, affecting several hundred thousand residents.

On September 8, a landslide struck Hòa Sử Pán village near Sa Pa town in Lào Cai, killing six people and injuring nine others. In the same night, a passenger bus carrying 20 people was swept into a flooded stream by another landslide in the mountainous Cao Bằng province. The following day, a landslide killed nine people in the village of Lũng Lỳ in Cao Bằng. In Phú Thọ province, damage from the typhoon later resulted in the collapse of the Phong Châu Bridge on September 9, sending at least 10 cars and two scooters into the Red River. According to Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Đức Phớc, three people were rescued while 10 remained missing. Floods reaching up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) affected Hanoi and Yên Bái city, inundated 18,000 homes across Yên Bái province and displaced 59,000 residents. Power outages affected 5.7 million people nationwide. On September 10, a landslide buried the village of Làng Nủ in Lào Cai, killing at least 48 people and leaving 39 others missing. Another landslide in Lào Cai buried the village of Nậm Tông, killing 10 people and leaving eight missing.

Floodwater control by dams along Red River tributaries located in China was flagged as a matter of diplomatic concern. Chinese authorities agreed to slow the rate of water discharge from upstream dams and to store excess water in reservoirs, in order to reduce flood peaks downstream.

Laos

Yagi brought heavy rainfall that caused flooding across Laos, killing seven people and damaging 298 houses, 252 roads, 77 schools and 11 hospitals. In Luang Namtha Province, heavy rains forced the closure of Luang Namtha Airport. Three hundred people were evacuated from 17 villages across the province. Flooding also occurred in Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, and Bokeo Provinces, as well as in parts of Vientiane Prefecture. Damage was calculated to be ₭720 billion (US$32.56 million).

Thailand

In Thailand, 52 people were killed, including at least 36 in Chiang Rai province and six in Chiang Mai province. Across the country, 34,000 households were damaged, including 11,772 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, 10,499 in Chiang Mai, 2,928 in Chiang Rai, 720 in Tak, 576 in Phitsanulok, 361 in Sukhothai and 343 in Ang Thong. Around 9,000 families were affected. In Chiang Rai, 108 people were injured and damage occurred across 46 villages in five districts. Six landslides occurred in Mae Ai district, one of which killed six people and injured three others. Flooding also damaged 1,191 homes and 92 shops across five villages in Mae Sai district. Chiang Rai International Airport was closed due to flooding of access roads. Parts of Bueng Kan and Nong Khai provinces were inundated in up to 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) of water after the Mekong River burst its banks. Damage was estimated to be 30 billion baht (US$904 million).

Myanmar

In Myanmar, the remnants of Yagi caused extensive flooding and landslides, which were considered the worst to hit central Myanmar in 60 years. The country's junta confirmed 435 deaths, 79 missing, and 48 injuries. The National Unity Government of Myanmar reported more than 600 fatalities, while Radio Free Asia put the number of missing at 200. At least 320,000 people were displaced, while 24 bridges, 1,040 schools, 129 office buildings, five dams, 386 religious buildings, 14 electrical transformers, 456 lampposts and more than 158,373 houses were damaged by floods; 2,116 additional houses were destroyed. An additional 150,000 homes and 260,000 hectares (640,000 acres) of crops were flooded, while nearly 130,000 animals also died. Heavy rains also caused parts of several pagodas at the ancient UNESCO World Heritage site of Bagan to collapse. Parts of the Yangon–Mandalay Railway were flooded, resulting in the suspension of journeys. In Mandalay Region, 53,972 people were affected.

In the village of Thaye Pin, 310 of the 350 houses were destroyed, and 700 residents were believed to be missing. Heavy rains caused a dam to collapse in Soendin Township, flooding 20 villages under up to 8 ft (2.4 m) of water. In Taungoo District, 200 villages were flooded, and rescuers claimed 400 people were dead or missing. Another rescuer in Kalaw, Shan State claimed 100 people died and 200 others were missing due to floods and landslides. Additionally, 18 members of a defense force were killed by a landslide in Pekon Township, while 14 more died and over 200 houses were damaged due to flooding in Mong Kung Township. Additionally, the Pa-O National Liberation Army claimed "tens-of-thousands" were missing.

Communication lines in Tachileik were cut by the floods. At least 26 people, including 20 Karenni Nationalities Defence Force soldiers and six civilians died in Kayah State. Naypyidaw, the country's capital, was extensively flooded, with thousands of houses submerged beneath up to 7 ft (2.1 m) of floodwater, killing 164 people, destroying 33 houses and damaging 3,891 more.

The severity of the damage prompted Min Aung Hlaing, the country's military ruler, to issue an appeal for foreign aid. According to the government, 3,600 people were rescued. The United Nations estimated that around 887,000 people across 65 townships were affected by the disaster. Overall, Yagi caused 466 billion kyat in losses (US$222 million).

Aftermath

Philippine President Bongbong Marcos conducted aerial inspections of La Mesa Dam, Marikina, and Antipolo, announcing that over ₱16 million (US$324,873.1) in humanitarian aid has been allocated to the hardest-hit areas. The Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that assistance and relief goods valued at ₱700 million (US$14.21 million) have been distributed to the impacted families. A state of calamity was declared in Camarines Sur, Naga City and Allen, Northern Samar due to floods caused by Yagi.

On the afternoon of September 10, the Presidium of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Committee held a ceremony to launch a fundraising campaign to support people affected by the storm, when the state budget is still limited. The Standing Committee of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Central Committee and the Central Relief Mobilisation Committee pledged to use all donated funds for the right purposes, effectively, and transparently. As of 5:00 p.m. on September 19, the total amount of funds transferred to the Central Relief Fund's account had reached VND 1.495 billion (US$60.77 million), of which VND 1.035 billion (US$42.17 million) has been disbursed to localities. Additionally, with nearly 100 factories damaged, Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính announced a US$4.62 million recovery package for Haiphong. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Chiang Rai on September 13. She later pledged that government would release US$90 million in aid and provide up to US$6,000 for each household affected by the floods. On September 12, BingX initiated a donation campaign, committing 1 billion VND (US$430,000) to the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Committee to aid those impacted by the typhoon. In addition, China and Vietnam collaborated on flood control.

International aid and assistance

In response to the severe effects of Typhoon Yagi, the United States pledged US$1 million in immediate humanitarian aid to Vietnam, while the Australian government allocated A$3 million (US$2 million) for emergency assistance and crucial services to Vietnam. Australia sent emergency relief supplies aboard a C-17 Globemaster, which included essential provisions for families such as shelter and hygiene kits. The Red Cross Society of China also donated US$100,000 to the Red Cross Society of Vietnam. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation committed US$1.17 million, sending six specialists to aid in the recovery efforts to Vietnam. The European Union has provided €2.2 million (US$2.44 million) in humanitarian aid, with €1.2 million (US$1.33 million) directed to Myanmar, €650,000 (US$720,000) to Vietnam, €200,000 (US$222,000) to the Philippines, and €150,000 (US$166,000) to Laos, to support those most affected by Typhoon Yagi. The United Kingdom announced £1 million of humanitarian assistance to Vietnam. The Japanese government, via the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has dispatched emergency supplies to assist Vietnam in recovering from recent storm damage, while South Korea donated US$2 million. Indian billionaire businessman Gautam Adani has committed to donating US$1 million to help Vietnam recover from the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi.

The Singapore Red Cross Society will provide S$50,000 (US$38,000) to support the Vietnam Red Cross Society's continued humanitarian efforts. The Singapore Armed Forces will deploy an Airbus A330 MRTT and two Lockheed C-130 aircraft to deliver humanitarian assistance to communities affected by Typhoon Yagi in Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. India responded in Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos by deploying its C-17 aircraft to deliver humanitarian aid, including relief assistance valued at US$1 million to Vietnam and ten tones of relief items to Myanmar. The military government of Myanmar also opened 400 relief camps. More than 100 flood victims near Naypyidaw were hospitalized for food poisoning after consuming donated food. The embassy of Ireland in Hanoi announced on September 18 a €250,000 (US$277,000) contribution to support UNICEF in supplying clean water, sanitation, and hygiene resources to vulnerable children and families impacted by the typhoon. The Canadian embassy in Hanoi reported that Canada has committed C$560,000 (US$413,000) in humanitarian aid to help the Vietnamese people impacted by the heavy flooding and landslides resulting from Typhoon Yagi. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia provided humanitarian aid, which was delivered to Lao Cai province of Vietnam, the area most severely affected by the typhoon. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced a US$2 million fund to support Vietnam's response to Typhoon Yagi.

Most countries that provided aid expressed their condolences to Vietnam, including Argentina, Belgium, Belarus, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany, Kazakhstan, Laos, Norway, New Zealand, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, and Vatican.

Retirement

On February 20, 2025, PAGASA retired the name Enteng from its rotating naming lists due to the damage and loss of life it caused. It will never be used again as a typhoon name within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). It will be replaced with Edring for the 2028 season.

At their 57th Session in February 2025, the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee announced that the name Yagi, along with eight others, would be retired from the naming lists for the Western Pacific. At their 58th Session in March 2026, the name was replaced with Tomo, which means stern deck (Puppis) in Japanese.