Government steps up disaster-relief efforts after Typhoon Yagi pounds Hainan, Guangdong

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday urged beefed-up disaster relief after Super Typhoon Yagi strikes south China over the weekend.

Super Typhoon Yagi has made landfall in South China's Hainan and Guangdong provinces on Friday and is set to impact Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region over the weekend. In response, Chinese authorities have initiated disaster prevention, reduction, and relief efforts as multiple coastal cities have suspended unnecessary activities and operations of airports, schools and markets.     

As of 12 am on Saturday, the typhoon has affected 1.227 million people across Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi, with 3 deaths and 95 injuries reported.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters raised its emergency response to floods and typhoons from Level IV to Level III in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Friday. 

According to media report, the National Development and Reform Commission allocated 200 million yuan urgently on Saturday to support disaster relief efforts in Hainan and Guangdong after the typhoon hit the two provinces. The funding will be primarily used for the repair and restoration of infrastructure and public service facilities in the disaster-stricken areas.

A working group has been dispatched to Guangxi by the headquarters. In response to the severe impacts of the typhoon on Hainan, the national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief also activated a Level-IV disaster-relief emergency response, according to Xinhua.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I the highest level, as well as a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue. 

China's National Meteorological Center on Saturday morning renewed a red alert for Yagi. The typhoon made landfall in Wenchang city, Hainan Province, and Xuwen county, Guangdong Province, on Friday. Afterward, Yagi moved westward to Beibu Gulf, gradually weakening, according to China Central Television (CCTV).

In Hainan Province, Haikou Meilan International Airport is expected to cancel all flights before 3:00 pm on Saturday, while since 10:00 am on the day, Qionghai Boao Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport have resumed flights operation gradually, CCTV reported. 

In Guangdong Province, the coastal city of Zhanjiang remained under a red alert for typhoon on Saturday morning, with nearly all non-essential activities suspended. Operations in scenic spots, schools, markets, ferry ports, and construction sites were halted as a precaution.

A local resident from Zhanjiang Luo Weiwen told the Global Times on Saturday that they have been told not to go out until the red alert is ended. Before the typhoon arrived, local residents followed government guidance to stock up on food and essential supplies. 

In Guangxi, the coastal city Beihai has also closed commercial venues, suspended classes in schools and stopped operations in all construction sites started from Friday to prevent the damages caused by the typhoon, CCTV reported.