Over 31,000 evacuated as heavy rain pounds southern China’s Hainan

Hainan heavy rain has forced more than 31,000 people to evacuate as authorities close schools, restrict roads and prepare for further flood risks.

AIKOU: Hainan heavy rain has forced more than 31,000 people to leave at-risk areas as persistent downpours hit the southern Chinese island province, prompting school closures, tourist-site shutdowns and heightened emergency responses.

As of Sunday evening, 31,564 people had been relocated to safer areas, according to the provincial committee for disaster prevention, mitigation and relief. Authorities said no major disasters had been recorded despite the severity of the rainfall.

How much rain has fallen across Hainan?

Rainfall exceeded 300 millimetres in 24 townships across six cities and counties between Friday morning and Sunday afternoon.

Changfeng Township in Wanning recorded the highest total, receiving 452.1 millimetres of rain during the period.

Wanning, Lingshui and Qionghai are among the areas affected as emergency teams monitor rising water, local flooding and the possibility of further disruption.

The severe weather is linked to a tropical depression in the South China Sea interacting with colder air, which has brought torrential rainfall across parts of Hainan since September 11.

Also read: Algeria to close airspace to all UAE registered aircraft beginning today

What emergency measures are in place?

Hainan raised its flood-control emergency response to Level II on Sunday.

Wanning went further, activating a Level I emergency response, the highest level in China’s four-tier system. Qionghai, Qiongzhong, Wuzhishan, Baoting and Lingshui were operating under Level II responses.

Schools have been closed in six cities and counties, while some tourist attractions in eight areas have also been shut. Traffic controls are in place on affected roads.

Fire and rescue teams have been positioned in key locations, with additional personnel and drainage equipment deployed to Wanning, Qionghai and Lingshui.

Power and telecommunications teams have also prepared emergency equipment and supplies in case infrastructure is damaged.

The Hainan heavy rain has additionally increased concern about flash floods and geological hazards. Authorities have been monitoring reservoirs and waterways while working to reduce the threat of urban waterlogging, landslides and submerged roads and bridges.

Also read: Oman postpones Strait of Hormuz talks with Iran and other Gulf nations

Is more rain expected?

The wet weather has remained a concern into Monday, with authorities maintaining emergency preparations across vulnerable areas.

Heavy rainfall is also affecting parts of nearby southern China. Guangdong forecasters expected significant rain across western Guangdong and the southern Pearl River Delta through September 14 before conditions gradually ease from September 15.

For Hainan, the priority remains keeping residents away from high-risk locations while emergency crews monitor changing conditions.

The Hainan heavy rain evacuation also highlights the speed at which intense rainfall can disrupt transport, schools and tourism across the island, even when widespread major damage is avoided.

Impact to expect

Disruption. Continued rainfall could affect transport, schools and tourism while increasing the risk of local flooding and landslides in vulnerable parts of Hainan.