BEIJING: With one powerful autumn typhoon having affected a Chinese province and another one bearing down on the mainland, concerns have mounted over the potential disasters from heavy rainfall that such storms can bring to vulnerable areas on the southern and southeastern coasts.
Authorities have been ramping up preparations to address the heightened risk of flooding and other weather-related hazards in such areas. The remnants of Typhoon Trami, coupled with a cold front, have triggered extensive flooding in Qionghai, Hainan province. All 13 towns in the city have been inundated to varying degrees, with the Wanquan River basin submerging 183 villages.
Responding to the crisis, Qionghai has mobilized a fleet of 43 motorboats, 30 inflatable boats and over 200 vehicles, and has requested helicopter assistance for supply transport and rescue operations. By Wednesday evening, authorities had evacuated 17,198 residents.
Rainfall had decreased by Wednesday night, and water levels in the Wanquan River are gradually receding. The Hainan disaster reduction commission terminated its flood and wind emergency response on Thursday at 5 pm. However, forecasts predict another deluge from Sunday to Tuesday as southeasterly airflow collides with a cold front.
–The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
