HAIKOU, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – Following days of intense rainfall that caused widespread flooding and hazards, over 55,000 individuals were evacuated across China’s Hainan province. Authorities transported residents from high-risk zones by 6 p.m. on September 14. Evacuations prioritized low-lying communities, landslide-prone regions, and areas near rivers. Additionally, officials arranged temporary shelters and supplied essential items for those displaced.
The downpour began impacting Hainan on September 11 as a tropical depression from the South China Sea interacted with cold air currents. This system brought persistent heavy rain across the island, with the most intense precipitation occurring in the southern and central parts. Locations such as Baoting, Wuzhishan, Wanning, Qionghai, and Lingshui experienced significant rainfall. During this period, rivers swelled and water levels rose in several communities as the rain persisted.
Some areas recorded extraordinary rainfall totals before conditions eased. From September 11 until 2 p.m. on September 14, Xiangshui township in Baoting saw 912.9 millimeters of rain. Six townships reported over 700 millimeters during this timeframe, with three exceeding 800 millimeters. These figures highlight the intense concentration of rainfall across parts of Hainan.
Evacuations Grow As Heavy Rainfall Continues
The number of evacuations surged as authorities expanded safety measures throughout affected districts. By 7:50 p.m. on September 13, officials had relocated 31,564 residents from dangerous zones. This number surpassed 55,000 by the next evening, as flooding and geological dangers persisted. The Ministry of Emergency Management coordinated emergency response efforts during this critical period.
Emergency teams also worked to reopen roads and restore vital services in communities impacted by landslides and flooding. During the peak rainfall, disruptions to transportation, electricity, and communication networks were reported in parts of Baoting and Wuzhishan. Rescue units were dispatched to affected zones, with utility crews conducting repairs as weather conditions permitted. Authorities also kept watch over reservoirs, rivers, and flood-prone areas to prevent further disasters.
Hainan Transitions from Crisis Response to Recovery Operations
By September 15, the intensity and coverage of rainfall had significantly diminished across Hainan, prompting the province to lift its Level III heavy-rain warning. Officials announced that the severe rainfall event had largely concluded and that recovery efforts were underway. Several cities and counties resumed classes as local conditions improved, while workers began clearing mud, repairing infrastructure, and restoring public services.
The Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level IV national natural disaster relief response for Hainan as relief activities continued. On September 14, provincial authorities downgraded Hainan’s flood and typhoon emergency response from Level II to Level III. Five working groups were dispatched to assist local authorities. Recovery operations persisted as communities addressed flood damage, utility disruptions, and transportation challenges.