Typhoon Wutip, the first typhoon to hit China's coast this year, brought heavy downpours and strong gales to southern regions Friday, forcing evacuations, canceling flights and trains, and shutting down schools and businesses.
The storm is forecast to track along the western coast of Hainan before approaching Leizhou Peninsula. The storm has been lingering close to shore, oscillating between potential landfall and offshore movement, according to the latest update from the Central Meteorological Observatory.
In preparation, authorities in Ledong Li autonomous county in the southwest of Hainan have relocated 1,325 people to safety as of 9 am Friday. Local officials also set up free temporary shelters for pregnant women in mountainous and coastal areas.
READ MORE: Coastal areas prepare for year's first typhoon
Sixteen cities and counties in Hainan suspended classes, with schools in Sanya dismissing students in groups. Students unable to leave were placed under supervision with provisions.
The city also elevated its emergency response to Level II, the second-highest in the four-tier system, closing all mountain and coastal tourist sites, suspending some bus routes, halting operations in all construction sites, and ordering shopping malls and restaurants to shut down late Wednesday. Supermarkets and markets remained open to ensure supplies.
"We arrived in Sanya on Wednesday and didn't expect to run into typhoon weather," said Ye Haiming, a tourist from Chengdu, Sichuan province. He mentioned his planned two-week trip to Sanya would proceed despite the conditions, with him and his companions staying indoors for the next few days until the typhoon passes before resuming outdoor activities.
Transportation took a major hit, with 139 flights canceled at the Haikou Meilan International Airport, and all ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait have been suspended since Thursday. About 1,200 trucks were stranded near ports, prompting officials to urge drivers to avoid the area until operations resume.
The typhoon also disrupted entertainment events, including the cancelation of a concert by Hong Kong singer Eason Chan in Haikou's Wuyuan River Stadium on Friday.
READ MORE: China's island province on alert for Typhoon Wutip
Meanwhile, in Changjiang Li autonomous county, the Shilu Reservoir began controlled water releases Wednesday to prevent overflow, with officials adjusting outflow based on rainfall.
The storm is expected to hit the coastal areas between Xuwen county in Guangdong province and Beihai city in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region around noon Saturday as a severe tropical storm before weakening and shifting northeastward.
Guangdong braced for potential impacts by upgrading its emergency response for typhoon preparedness from Level IV to Level III on Friday morning. As of Wednesday evening, all 46 Guangdong-registered fishing vessels operating in Hainan province had returned to harbor.
