Rescue efforts to relocate stranded residents across South China's island province of Hainan are in full swing following days of heavy rainfalls triggered by the tail end of Typhoon Trami.
Over the past 24 hours, Hainan has been hit with a further 100 millimeters of rain, adding to the effects of last week’s torrential downpours and flooding. In Qionghai City, one of the worst-affected regions in this last round of storms, 25,700 households are living without power and 22 roads are blocked.
The city has relocated 7,154 stranded residents so far, with more to be transported in the following days.
The authorities have suspended traffic in the city and recommended that civilians should stay indoors or move to higher ground if their homes are at risk of flooding.
As the rainfall continues, water levels in the inundated villages of Qionghai's Bo'ao Town have been rising rapidly and rescuers are making every effort to rescue stranded people.
Two major dams near the town have also been releasing water after alarming water levels were recorded on Tuesday.
In nearby Zhongyuan Town, flood waters encircled a local resident who was saved from a life-threatening situation by rescuers approaching by boat.
"I was in my house and then walked out of the house and across a bridge. I reached the tractor and I climbed up on top," said the resident surnamed Zhang.
So far, 1,046 residents of the town have been relocated.
The flooding has also threatened some vulnerable groups. In Huabei Village in Lingshui City, rescuers were sent to assist stranded elderly residents and infants. So far, over 90 villagers have been relocated.
The heavy rainfall in Hainan will continue but is forecast to ease up by late Wednesday, China's National Meteorological Center said in a statement.
Rescue operations underway in Hainan as rain, flooding continue
