Authorities in South China’s Hainan Province have activated a Level IV emergency response in Haikou and Sanya as Typhoon Fengshen, the 24th tropical cyclone of the year, approaches the island with increasing intensity.
According to the Hainan Meteorological Service, Fengshen, currently classified as a severe tropical storm, was located about 150 kilometres northeast of Yongxing Island in Sansha City on Tuesday morning, with maximum sustained winds of 25 meters per second (Force 10). The storm is moving west-southwest at 15 km/h and is expected to intensify into a full typhoon soon.
Warnings and Emergency Measures
Both Haikou and Sanya have issued blue typhoon alerts, urging residents to stay indoors, secure outdoor items, and avoid maritime activities. Authorities warn of average wind speeds above Force 6, gusts up to Force 9, and short but heavy downpours over the next 24 hours.
Following directives from the Hainan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Relief Committee, Haikou activated its emergency plan at 9:30 a.m., while Sanya followed suit at 4:10 p.m. City officials have instructed all departments to closely monitor weather developments, ensure safety in low-lying areas, and prepare evacuation plans in case conditions worsen.
National and Regional Impact
The National Meteorological Centre (NMC) also maintained a yellow alert for Typhoon Fengshen, predicting wind speeds to peak between 28 and 30 meters per second (Force 10–11) before gradually weakening. The storm is expected to brush past the Xisha Islands and move toward Vietnam’s central coast by late Tuesday night.
The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam has issued a safety alert for Chinese citizens, advising them to avoid water-related tourism activities and to remain vigilant amid strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Precautionary Actions
Local authorities have emphasised precautions for fishing vessels, offshore operations, and coastal facilities, urging people to avoid sea travel and reinforce outdoor structures. Meteorologists also warned that parts of Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi may face strong winds and heavy rains as Fengshen advances.
As emergency teams remain on high alert, residents are being reminded to stay informed through official weather updates and follow safety advisories to minimise risks.
Related stories:
