Typhoon Saola Threatens Hong Kong and Guangdong with Devastating Winds and Floods, while Afghan Immigrants Await US Resettlement

Typhoon Saola is expected to bring heavy showers and violent winds to Hong Kong and Guangdong province in China. The storm, with wind speeds topping 200 kilometers per hour, is forecasted to make landfall in the coastal areas spanning from Huilai to Hong Kong. Hong Kong's observatory has warned of serious flooding and a storm surge similar to that seen during the 2018 Super Typhoon Mangkhut. In preparation for the typhoon, train services have been suspended in Guangdong, and schools and businesses have closed. Airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and Greater Bay Airlines, have canceled numerous flights.

Macau is also considering issuing its third-highest typhoon warning. Despite the potential impact of the typhoon, fatalities from typhoons have become less common due to stronger building codes and better flood management systems. In other news, more than 840,000 Afghans who applied for special immigrant visas to resettle in the US are still waiting. The program aimed to assist Afghans who worked alongside American forces during the two-decade-long conflict. However, the visa processing has faced various challenges, leading to slow progress and leaving applicants in dangerous situations. The number of applications surged after the US pullout from Afghanistan and the return of the Taliban, with nearly 155,000 applicants by December 2022.

The State Department estimates that there are still over 840,000 applicants and their family members in Afghanistan. The report highlights the need for further improvements in the visa processing system, including addressing frequent turnover and vacancies in key positions. Meanwhile, Typhoon Saola is part of a trio of tropical cyclones in the region, including Typhoon Haikui and Tropical Storm Kirogi. Saola, with winds over 200 kph, is predicted to make landfall in Guangdong. Hong Kong and Macau lie within the expected landfall area.

Schools in Hong Kong have been closed, and Cathay Pacific has canceled all flights during the typhoon's projected timeframe. Authorities in Guangdong and Shenzhen have suspended trains and closed schools and businesses in anticipation of the storm. The region is bracing for potentially destructive winds and storm surge, with the Taishan Nuclear Power plant taking safety precautions. Macau is also expected to raise its wind warning level.

Typhoon Haikui is approaching Taiwan and is forecasted to make landfall before heading towards Fuzhou in China. These developments highlight the ongoing impact of severe weather events and the challenges faced by displaced individuals seeking refuge in the US. It is crucial for governments and organizations to enhance response and support systems to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and provide assistance to those in need.