Hainan on high alert as super typhoon approaches

South China's Hainan province heightened its emergency response for Typhoon Yagi to level I at 11 am on Thursday as the storm surged into a super typhoon. Local authorities urged residents to prioritize safety and prepare for the looming threat posed by the escalating weather conditions.

The China Meteorological Administration issued a red alert on Wednesday evening in anticipation of the approaching Typhoon Yagi, the 11th typhoon this year.

The Hainan Meteorology Administration has issued a warning that this storm could be the strongest typhoon to strike Hainan in the past decade. The last devastating typhoon to hit the island was Rammasun, which left a trail of destruction in its wake.

The storm's eye is currently positioned about 520 kilometers east of Wenchang, Hainan province, with gusts surging to a level 17 as of early Thursday.

The typhoon is projected to track northwest at 10 to 15 km per hour, steadily intensifying along its path. Meteorologists predict it will make landfall along the coastline from Wenchang to Zhanjiang in Guangdong on Friday afternoon.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Hainan province, 34,707 fishing boats have been secured in harbors or designated safe areas, and 78,261 individuals working on waters have been relocated to land.

Wenchang issued an emergency notice on Wednesday to close tourist attractions and suspend classes, work, transportation and business operations from 6 pm the same day.

Haikou began a phased suspension of "schools, work, transportation, flights, parks, and businesses" beginning at noon on Thursday. As part of these measures, tourist attractions in Haikou, including Holiday Beach and Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden, issued closure notices.

Passenger ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait have been temporarily halted from midnight on Wednesday until Sunday. Additionally, all flights arriving at and departing from Haikou Meilan International Airport will be grounded from 8 pm on Thursday to midnight on Friday.

As of 6 pm on Thursday, all trains on the Hainan high-speed railway loop and the Haikou city section have been suspended, with plans to continue the suspension through Friday and Saturday. Additionally, the Hainan Haiqi Transportation Group Co has announced the closure of inter-city and inter-county passenger services at all passenger stations under its system starting from Thursday.

Efforts are underway to ensure vegetable storage during the typhoon period. The Haikou Market Basket Industry Group has confirmed that over 4,500 tons of 38 different vegetables are available, guaranteeing a steady supply for citizens. Furthermore, the Hainan Administration for Market Regulation has implemented regulatory measures to stabilize prices, promote reasonable pricing, and crack down on price gouging.