HAIKOU, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – More than 55,000 residents have been moved to safety in China’s Hainan province as relentless rainfall over several days has led to widespread flooding and associated dangers. The government carried out evacuations from high-risk zones by 6 p.m. on September 14. These efforts targeted low-lying areas, landslide-prone regions, and communities near rivers. Authorities also provided temporary shelter and essential supplies to those displaced.
The onset of heavy rain in Hainan began on September 11, triggered by a tropical depression in the South China Sea interacting with cold air currents. This system brought continuous heavy downpours across the island, with the most intense rainfall concentrated in the southern and central parts. Locations such as Baoting, Wuzhishan, Wanning, Qionghai, and Lingshui experienced significant deluges, causing rivers to swell and water to accumulate in numerous communities as the rain persisted.
Rainfall amounts in some regions reached extraordinary levels before conditions started to improve. Between September 11 and 2 p.m. on September 14, Xiangshui township in Baoting recorded 912.9 millimeters of rain. Six townships received over 700 millimeters during this period, with three surpassing 800 millimeters. These figures highlight the intense concentration of rainfall across parts of Hainan.
Escalating Evacuations as Heavy Rainfall Continues
As the situation worsened, the number of evacuees increased significantly with authorities expanding precautionary actions across affected districts. By 7:50 p.m. on September 13, more than 31,564 individuals had been relocated from dangerous zones. The total grew to over 55,000 by the next evening amid ongoing flooding and landslide risks. The Hainan Provincial Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief Committee Office oversaw the coordination of emergency responses during this critical period.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly to restore access and provide basic services in areas impacted by floods and landslides. Roads, power supplies, and communication lines were disrupted in parts of Baoting and Wuzhishan during the peak rainfall. Emergency responders were dispatched to assist affected communities, with utility crews undertaking repairs as weather conditions permitted. Monitoring of reservoirs, rivers, and flash flood-prone zones was also maintained to manage ongoing risks.
Transition from Crisis Management to Recovery in Hainan
By September 15, the intensity and extent of rainfall had significantly decreased across Hainan, prompting the province to lift its Level III heavy-rain warning. Officials announced that the extreme rainfall event had largely subsided, and affected areas had entered the recovery phase. Several cities and counties resumed classes as local conditions improved. Efforts shifted toward clearing mud, repairing infrastructure damages, and restoring public services.
The Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level IV national natural disaster relief response for Hainan as relief efforts persisted. Additionally, provincial authorities downgraded Hainan’s flood and typhoon emergency response from Level II to Level III on September 14. To bolster recovery, five working groups were dispatched to affected zones to assist local response operations. Ongoing recovery efforts address flood damage, utility disruptions, and damaged transportation networks across impacted communities.