Typhoon Soulik expected to pass south of Hainan

A tropical depression in the South China Sea strengthened into the 15th typhoon of the year — named Soulik — on Thursday morning.

Reaching tropical storm level, it is the second typhoon to affect Hainan province in about two weeks, following the landfall of Super Typhoon Yagi on the island on Sept 6.

Meteorological authorities said that as of 10 am on Thursday, the center of Soulik was 115 kilometers northeast of Donghe city in Vietnam's Quang Tri province. The maximum wind force near the center was recorded at 8 on the Beaufort scale (29 kilometers per hour), with gale-force winds extending up to a radius of 130 kilometers.

The Hainan provincial meteorological bureau issued a Level 4 typhoon warning, the lowest in the four-tiered system, at 10 pm on Wednesday to brace for Soulik. The provincial committee for disaster reduction and relief then activated a matching emergency response.

Yagi, the super typhoon, caused severe damage in the province's northern regions, while authorities forecast that Soulik will not directly hit the province but said it will pass near the southern coast of Sanya city. The impact of Soulik is therefore expected to result in milder weather conditions than the destructive Yagi.

So far, Soulik has not affected transportation to or from Hainan province. Navigation is normal in the Qiongzhou Strait, and regular operations are proceeding at airports in Haikou, Sanya and Qionghai.

Meteorological authorities said that Soulik has reached its peak intensity and is expected to move west-southwest at a speed of about 10 kilometers per hour. It is projected to make landfall along the eastern coast of Vietnam on Thursday night and gradually weaken thereafter.

Starting early on Thursday, Sanya brought steady rainfall accompanied by short periods of heavy rain and gusty winds. Streets were quieter in the morning, with waves crashing along the coastline. Several tourist attractions in Sanya, including Wuzhizhou Island, announced temporary closures for the day.

In the provincial capital, Haikou, wind gradually increased on Wednesday evening, with intermittent light rain overnight.

Haikou's northern cities and counties are urgently repairing power and communications facilities that were damaged by Yagi. Meteorological authorities said the rain brought by Soulik may affect ongoing restoration efforts.