HAIKOU, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – Over 55,000 residents across China’s Hainan province were compelled to evacuate after persistent heavy rains caused flooding and associated dangers, prompting authorities to relocate individuals from high-risk zones by 6 p.m. on September 14. The focus of these evacuations was primarily on low-lying neighborhoods, areas prone to landslides, and locations adjacent to rivers, with officials also arranging temporary shelter and providing essential supplies for those displaced.
The region experienced a significant weather event starting September 11, when a tropical depression in the South China Sea interacted with cold air, resulting in widespread heavy rainfall across the island, particularly affecting the southern and central regions. Towns such as Baoting, Wuzhishan, Wanning, Qionghai, and Lingshui recorded substantial rainfall totals. As the rain persisted, rivers swelled and water levels rose in multiple communities.
Some areas experienced extraordinary rainfall measurements before conditions eased; between September 11 and 2 p.m. on September 14, Xiangshui township in Baoting received 912.9 millimeters of rain. During this period, six townships surpassed 700 millimeters of rainfall, with three exceeding 800 millimeters, illustrating how intensely the rain concentrated across different parts of Hainan.
Escalating evacuations amid worsening rainfall
As the storm’s impact intensified, authorities expanded their precautionary measures, resulting in a rapid increase in evacuations. By 7:50 p.m. on September 13, a total of 31,564 individuals had been moved away from dangerous zones, a figure that rose beyond 55,000 by the following evening amidst ongoing flooding and landslide threats. The Hainan Provincial Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief Committee Office coordinated the emergency response efforts throughout this period.
Rescue teams worked diligently to restore vital services and access to affected communities, which faced disruptions in roads, electricity, and communications, especially in Baoting and Wuzhishan during the height of the rainfall. Emergency personnel were dispatched to assist in rescue operations, while utility crews conducted repairs as weather conditions permitted. Authorities also kept close watch on reservoirs, rivers, and flash flood-prone areas to prevent further disasters.
From crisis management to recovery efforts in Hainan
By September 15, the intensity and extent of rainfall had substantially decreased across Hainan, leading to the lifting of the province’s Level III heavy-rain warning. Officials announced that the severe weather event had largely concluded, and the affected regions had begun the recovery phase. Several cities and counties resumed classes as local conditions improved, with ongoing efforts to clear mud, repair infrastructure damages, and restore public services.
The Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level IV national natural disaster relief response for Hainan, as relief activities persisted. On September 14, the provincial authorities also downgraded the emergency response level for floods and typhoons from Level II to Level III. To aid in recovery, five workgroups were dispatched to impacted areas to support local operations, which continue to address flood damages, utility disruptions, and compromised transportation networks.
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