Typhoon "Meisak" hits Hainan
Nature never pauses its eternal cycle. Typhoons sweeping in from the ocean remind humanity that, even in an age of advanced technology, we remain guests on this planet, not its sovereign masters. Hurricanes and downpours are not mere weather anomalies but stern lessons in humility and, at the same time, tests of resilience for the infrastructure and the spirit of those living on shores exposed to the elements.
The tenth typhoon of the year made landfall on the coast of southern China's Hainan Province on Friday evening, bringing gale-force winds and torrential rain. According to the provincial meteorological bureau, the tropical storm came ashore at around 18:20 in Yelin Li township, Lingshui Autonomous County. At the time of landfall, maximum wind speeds near the centre reached 23 metres per second.
All rail services to and from Hainan were suspended on Friday and Saturday due to the typhoon. Sanya Phoenix International Airport halted flights from 17:00 on Friday. Ferry services for passengers and vehicles across the Qiongzhou Strait were stopped from 02:00 the same day, with the suspension expected to last one to two days depending on weather conditions. Schools and kindergartens in Sanya and Ledong Li Autonomous County were also closed.
Off the coast of Lingshui, the typhoon struck a deep‑sea aquaculture base – at around 19:00, huge waves violently tossed fish farming cages in the water. Local weather services forecast continued thunderstorms in Lingshui over the coming days.
Hainan is one of China's most typhoon‑prone regions, receiving up to eight tropical cyclones annually during the rainy season. Authorities swiftly activated emergency response plans and mobilised rescue teams to minimise damage. As CCTV+ reports. Meteorological agencies continue to track the typhoon, which is gradually weakening but still poses threats to coastal areas.
