Typhoon Trami slaps Hainan on way out

The remnants of Typhoon Trami coupled with a cold air mass have triggered severe flooding in Hainan province, claiming three lives, including a student in Sanya, who drowned in a drainage pipe, and a mother and her child in Qionghai who perished after falling into floodwaters.

Heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday caused extensive flooding in Sanya, exacerbated by seawater backflows.

The Hainan Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief declared a Level I emergency response for flood prevention and wind protection in Qionghai at 11:40 pm on Tuesday. In Qionghai, the water level on Wanquan River Road surged more than half a meter on Wednesday morning, rendering it impassable for both vehicles and pedestrians.

The provincial Department of Natural Resources and Planning reported on Tuesday that by 7 pm eight minor geological hazards such as collapses or landslides had occurred, all of which were promptly addressed without casualties. A total of 545 individuals were evacuated to safety in response to the unfolding crisis.

The Sanya tram demonstration line has resumed operation, and tourist attractions in Sanya began to start up again on Tuesday.

Typhoon Kong-rey, the 21st typhoon of the year, is expected to make landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday between noon and evening. It is then expected to cross Taiwan and approach coastal areas of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, possibly making a second landfall along the eastern coast of the Chinese mainland.

Driven by the combined effects of cold air and the typhoon, strong winds and high waves have hit coastal areas of Fujian. As a result of the severe weather, 16 passenger ferry routes along the Fujian coast were suspended on Tuesday, with 32 passenger ferries halted. Additionally, 67 water-related projects were temporarily halted, along with 84 construction vessels.

Li Guoying, deputy commander of the National Commission for Disaster Reduction and minister of water resources expressed concern over the torrential rains and floods brought by Trami and Kong-rey and urged thorough implementation of various defense measures to protect people's lives and property.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Water Resources issued notifications to provincial and regional water resources departments at potential risk, saying they need to strengthen duty rosters, conduct consultations and assessments, scientifically manage water projects and guard the integrity of medium and small-sized reservoirs.