A typhoon named “Capricorn,” the 11th of this year, is expected to make landfall in the Guangdong and Hainan regions of China. Due to the impact of the typhoon, various areas in Guangdong have implemented traffic controls and fishing boats have returned to harbor. In Haikou City, Hainan, starting from 12:00 on September 5th, a phased implementation of measures including “school closures, work stoppages, transport suspensions, flight cancellations, park closures, and business shutdowns” has been initiated.
On September 5th, the China Meteorological Administration issued a red typhoon warning. Typhoon “Capricorn,” now upgraded to a super typhoon, is expected to make landfall along the coast from Qionghai in Hainan to Dianbai in Guangdong on the afternoon to evening of September 6th, moving at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour.
Over the next three days, wind speeds in the northern part of the South China Sea, the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin, and some coastal areas in South China may exceed level 8. The central area of typhoon “Capricorn” could experience wind speeds of 13 to 17 levels, with gusts reaching over level 17. Simultaneously, regions including Hainan Island, southern Guangdong, southwestern Guangxi, southern Yunnan, among others, are forecasted to have heavy to torrential rains, locally severe rainfall, and the possibility of flash floods in small to medium-sized rivers within areas of heavy rain.
As a result, starting from 12:00 on September 5th, Haikou City in Hainan has implemented phased “Six Stops” measures (school closures, work stoppages, transport suspensions, flight cancellations, park closures, business shutdowns). Xiuying Port, the South Railway Harbor, and the Qiongzhou Strait Passenger and Ro-Ro Terminal have ceased operations. Passenger trains entering and circling Hainan Island, including the island’s high-speed rail, will be suspended from September 5th to 7th. Flights from Haikou Meilan International Airport are expected to be canceled from 8:00 pm on the 5th to midnight on the 6th.
In addition, Haikou Xin’hai Harbor has been closed since midnight on September 4th. Fishing boats in the surrounding waters of Hainan Island and the northern Gulf of Tonkin were directed to harbor before 8:00 pm on September 3rd to seek shelter from the storm.
Many cities in Guangdong have also implemented temporary traffic controls. Normal-speed trains crossing the sea, trains originating and terminating in Zhanjiang West Station, partially running trains on the Guangmao Line, and island-circling high-speed rail services have been adjusted or suspended. All fishing boats in waters west of the Pearl River Estuary in Guangdong have returned to harbor. As of 12:00 on September 4th, more than 80,000 fishing boats in Guangdong have docked, with 10,221 aquaculture workers going ashore, and 42 coastal scenic areas closed.
On September 5th, Zhuhai, Yangjiang, Zhanjiang, Taishan, and Maoming in Guangdong announced school closures across their respective cities.
The Hainan Provincial Meteorological Bureau stated on the 4th that “Capricorn” could become the strongest typhoon to hit Hainan Island in nearly a decade.
Affected by “Capricorn,” strong convective weather with continuous and frequent thunderstorms occurred in Haikou City, Hainan, on the evening of the 4th. Many netizens captured moments of lightning and thunder.
Numerous netizens left comments such as, “Is our Capricorn really that terrifying?” “The lightning and thunder are so scary; nature is too frightening.” “It’s coming with great force.” “It’s showing its strength even before making landfall.” “This scene feels like a disaster movie.” “Those living in high-rise buildings must be very scared! Wishing everyone safety!”