Typhoon Wutip Strikes Hainan Island: Thousands Evacuated and Services Suspended
China Evacuations: Over Ten Thousand People Moved Due to Typhoon "Wutip"
In the face of the encroaching Typhoon "Wutip," tens of thousands of people on the tropical southeastern Chinese island of Hainan have been moved to safer ground. As per the official news agency Xinhua, approximately 16,000 residents were transferred from danger zones, including construction sites, flood-prone areas, and slides-prone regions. Moreover, over 40,000 workers on ships and oil platforms were also safely relocated.
Typhoon Wutip, the first such storm to hit China this year, is expected to make landfall on Friday, according to the Chinese Meteorological Administration. There's a possibility it may make another landfall between the southern provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi on Saturday. The tempest is expected to generate wind speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and massive rainfall in six cities and districts, according to Xinhua's reporting.
The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV provided images of uprooted trees blocking roadways and cleanup crews working in torrential rain. Workers on oil platforms were also seen abandoning their ship with their belongings and awaiting transportation at the pier. High-speed rail services on Hainan were temporarily halted. In Sanya, situated at the southernmost tip of the island, schools and tourist attractions remained shut, and all flights at the local airport were called off.
Sanya escalated its emergency response by closing tourist sites, shopping malls, and eateries, while keeping essential services operational. Dongfang, another Hainan city, experienced Typhoon Wutip's landfall in Basuo township, resulting in severe weather conditions in the area. In preparation for the storm, Guangdong Province evacuated over 10,000 residents, closed schools, and canceled flights, railways, and vessels. The Ledong Li Autonomous County in Hainan saw 1,325 people moved to safety, with temporary shelters established for susceptible populations.
Check out the overview of Typhoon Wutip:- Impact: The typhoon has brought extensive rainfall and strong gusts across southern China, triggering mass evacuations, transportation cancellations, and widespread closures of various establishments.- Flooding and Damage: The storm caused severe flooding in parts of Vietnam and infrastructure damage in Hainan Island, with fallen trees and ripped corrugated metal fences noted.- Expected Landfall Locations: Typhoon Wutip made landfall on Hainan Island and is forecasted to potentially have a second landfall between Guangdong and Guangxi provinces.- Affected Cities in China: Apart from Sanya and Dongfang in Hainan, Guangdong Province and Ledong Li Autonomous County have been affected by the storm.
As of the most current updates, Wutip is moving inland and weakening. Local winds are expected to become less intense on Sunday. Despite its departure, an active southwesterly airstream is predicted to bring heavy showers to Guangdong's coast.
Scientists closely monitor Typhoon Wutip, its path, wind speeds, and rainfall, as it moves through environmental-science disciplines, affecting China's weather patterns and causing mass evacuations in cities like Sanya and Dongfang. The storm's impact leads to flooding and infrastructure damage, particularly in Hainan Island and Guangdong Province, with local services like high-speed rail and airports suspended.
