Hainan Island has been facing severe heavy rainstorms since September 11, leading to road flooding, river surges, and urban waterlogging. In the town of Changhao, Tongshi, in Wuzhishan City, 14 residents were temporarily trapped by floodwaters. A video circulating online also captured an elderly person being swept away by the flood while riding a bicycle.
Due to the combined influence of a tropical low-pressure system and cold air, from 8:00 on September 11 to 6:00 on September 14, 13 towns in five cities and counties in Hainan, including Wuzhishan and Lingshui, experienced rainfall exceeding 500 millimeters. The highest recorded rainfall was in Pingzhen, Qiongzhong County, which reached 623.6 millimeters, the highest value in local meteorological records since 1958.
According to reports from Xinhua News Agency and other media outlets, on the morning of September 14, a two-story farmhouse and surrounding houses near Changhao Bridge in Tongshi Town, Wuzhishan City, were surrounded by mountain torrents, leaving 14 residents stranded awaiting rescue.
Mr. Lin in Wuzhishan City shared with “Jiupai News,” “I have seen many areas in the urban district flooded, and our city is the highest in altitude in Hainan.” He added, “It has been raining heavily for several days continuously, and the forecast predicts rain at least until the 15th. Currently, there are alternating heavy rainfalls and moderate rains. Many areas in the city are experiencing water and power outages, while we only have water cut off for now.”
The torrential rain triggered flash floods and landslides, causing damage to gas and water pipelines in urban areas. Local water and gas companies have temporarily suspended water and gas services on the morning of the 14th.
Apart from Wuzhishan City, Ledong County also suffered water supply disruptions as two water intake pipes of the water company broke due to a landslide. The entire county is currently without water supply.
An employee of Ledong County Water Company informed “Extreme News” that it is challenging to carry out repairs due to the swift and muddy river water at the intake point. It is estimated that restoration of water supply will take two days.
A resident of Yelin Sunshine Community in Ledong confirmed that the property management had issued a notice of water cut-off in the community and arranged for fire trucks to deliver water between 10:00 and 11:00. Many residents are collecting rainwater for daily use, including flushing toilets.
Additionally, sections of the Hainan S10 Coastal Expressway, S26 Expressway, and parts of the Tourist Road of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park have been closed due to hazardous conditions.
Videos circulating on mainland Chinese social media platforms show that on the morning of the 14th, the urban area of Wuzhishan City was submerged. Underground parking lots were flooded, and many parked vehicles were washed away. An elderly person riding a bicycle was trapped by the floodwaters, with both the person and the bicycle being swept away, their whereabouts unknown.
As of 8:00 on the 14th, 42,000 people in high-risk areas in Hainan Province have been relocated. Thirteen cities and counties, including Sanya, Wuzhishan, Qionghai, and Baisha, have announced the suspension of classes at kindergartens and schools, while 27 scenic spots in the province have temporarily closed.
Meteorological authorities predict that although the tropical low-pressure system made landfall in Vietnam on the evening of the 13th and was declassified, the remnants of the system will continue to bring heavy rain to central and southern Hainan, including Wuzhishan, Ledong, and Baoting, on the 14th. The rain is expected to gradually weaken from the 15th to the 16th, transitioning to cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms. However, due to the extensive accumulated rainfall and saturated soil, there is still a need to remain vigilant against secondary disasters such as landslides, mudslides, and urban waterlogging.