China’s Hainan Province Declares Emergency as Typhoon Mitag Approaches

Authorities in southern China’s Hainan Province have declared a Level IV emergency response as Typhoon Mitag, the 21st storm of this year’s Pacific typhoon season, advances toward the region.

According to the provincial meteorological service, the storm is expected to enter the eastern part of the South China Sea before making landfall in Wenchang City or sweeping along the coastline by Sunday morning. 

Forecasts indicate sustained winds of 42 to 48 meters per second, placing Mitag among the category of severe typhoons.

Officials warned that the storm coincides with China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday period, an eight-day peak travel season. 

Authorities urged heightened safety measures at coastal, water-based, and mountain tourist destinations across Hainan.

Major airlines, ferry routes across the Qiongzhou Strait, and high-speed rail operations are expected to be disrupted from Saturday night through Sunday. 

Normal services are anticipated to resume by Monday morning.