HAIKOU, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – Following several days of intense rainfall, more than 55,000 residents were evacuated across China’s Hainan province. The authorities organized evacuations from high-risk zones by 6 p.m. on September 14, prioritizing low-lying areas, landslide-prone regions, and communities near rivers. Temporary shelters and essential supplies were provided to those displaced during this emergency.
Beginning on September 11, heavy rainfall impacted Hainan as a tropical depression from the South China Sea interacted with cold air currents. This system brought widespread downpours, with southern and central parts experiencing the heaviest precipitation. Areas such as Baoting, Wuzhishan, Wanning, Qionghai, and Lingshui faced significant rain, causing rivers to swell and water to accumulate in various communities as the downpour persisted.
Some regions recorded extraordinary rainfall totals before the weather eased. Between September 11 and 2 p.m. on September 14, Xiangshui township in Baoting experienced 912.9 millimeters of rain. During this timeframe, six townships received over 700 millimeters, with three surpassing 800 millimeters, demonstrating the concentrated nature of the rainfall across parts of Hainan.
As rainfall intensifies, evacuation efforts expand
The number of evacuations surged as authorities implemented broader safety measures in the affected regions. By 7:50 p.m. on September 13, officials had relocated 31,564 individuals from hazardous zones. This figure rose to over 55,000 by the following evening, amid ongoing flooding and geological hazards. The Hainan Provincial Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief Committee Office coordinated the emergency response operations.
Rescue teams worked to reopen roads and restore critical services in communities impacted by floods and landslides. During the peak of the storm, parts of Baoting and Wuzhishan experienced disruptions in roads, electricity, and communications. Emergency crews were dispatched to affected locations, with utility workers conducting repairs when conditions permitted. Authorities also monitored reservoirs, rivers, and flash flood-prone zones to ensure safety.
From emergency measures to recovery efforts in Hainan
By September 15, the intensity and extent of rainfall had decreased significantly, prompting the province to lift its Level III heavy-rain warning. Officials declared that the severe rainfall event had largely subsided, with affected areas entering the recovery phase. Several cities and counties began resuming classes as conditions improved. Cleanup operations, infrastructure repairs, and public service restorations were underway.
The Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level IV national natural disaster relief response for Hainan as recovery efforts proceeded. On September 14, provincial authorities downgraded Hainan’s flood and typhoon emergency response from Level II to Level III. To support local efforts, five working groups were dispatched to affected regions. Recovery activities continue across communities as they deal with flood damages, utility disruptions, and transportation challenges.