Over 75,400 evacuated as tropical storm hits S China
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Xinhua, July 30, 2011
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Clouds gather above Qionghai city, South China's Hainan province, as tropical storm Nock-Ten nears the costal area, July 29, 2011. Nock-Ten, which killed at least 41 people in the Philippines, is the eighth storm and the most powerful one to hit China so far this year. [Photo: CFP] |
More than 75,400 people were evacuated before tropical storm Nock-Ten made landfall over the southern island province of Hainan late Friday afternoon.
Nock-Ten was recorded as packing winds of up to 28 meters per second when landing at Longlou Township in the city of Wenchang at 5:40 p.m., the provincial meteorological center said in a statement.
The tropical storm has brought strong winds and heavy rains and has reduced visibility.
Before the storm made landfall, authorities had evacuated 75,440 people in the province from coastal fish farms, fishing boats, unsafe houses as well as from low-lying regions and areas downstream of dangerous reservoirs, said Yang Yunxian, director of the provincial flood control office.
Meanwhile, over 26,277 fishing ships have returned to port, Yang said.
The local authorities were releasing water from major reservoirs as water levels rose amid heavy rains, the mayor added.
Downpours brought by the tropical storm have halted all shipping services across the Qiongzhou Strait, which separates Guangdong Province from the island, as well as some rail services.
In addition, 173 flights due to depart or arrive at two airports in Hainan were canceled, according to the airports.
Nock-Ten, the eighth storm and the most powerful one to hit China so far this year, is moving northwest at 15 to 20 kilometers an hour and is forecast to enter Beibu Bay Saturday morning. At least 31 people in the Philippines died as a result of the storm.
