The Hanoi Department of Education and Training has allowed local students to stay home in view of the imminent landfall of Super Typhoon Yagi, expected on the afternoon of September 7.

"All students should stay indoors from this Saturday due to the super typhoon's wide circulation radius," the department said, citing sources that Yagi is the strongest typhoon to hit northern Vietnam in the past 20 years. 

The sky in Hanoi darkens before a heavy downpour on the afternoon of September 6. Photos: Khanh Huy/The Hanoi Times

Several universities have adjusted their schedules in response to the typhoon. The Hanoi Architectural University and the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology have both canceled their opening ceremonies for the new school year, scheduled for September 7. Some are allowing students to stay home on Saturday. In Vietnam, Saturday is a work day for some industries, including education.

With Yagi expected to dump 200-350 mm, or possibly 500 mm, of rain over the course of a day, the Department of Dike Management and Natural Disaster Prevention warned Hanoi of a high risk of flooding in urban areas.

Yagi strengthened into a super typhoon on the afternoon of September 5, with winds near its eye gusting to 201 km/h, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

The super typhoon entered the Gulf of Tonkin on the morning of September 6 and hit the mainland in the northeastern and north-central regions early on the morning of September 7.

Yagi brings large waves, storm surges, and strong winds at sea and on land, and strong gusts and heavy rain on land.

Schools in the Haiphong City and other provinces of Quang Ninh, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, and Thanh Hoa have been closed since September 6 until the storm passes.

They have been instructed to closely monitor the storm's progress and ensure that personnel are on standby to respond immediately. 

Hanoi authorities remove trees toppled by strong winds.