Tropical Storm Wutip roared into southern China late Friday, pounding coastal areas with fierce winds and torrential rain. Making landfall near Dongfang city on Hainan Island, the storm disrupted daily life across the region, forcing schools to close, tourist sites to shut down, and transport services to grind to a halt.
According to the National Meteorological Centre, Wutip packed wind speeds of up to 108 km per hour near its center when it struck around 11 pm local time (1500 GMT). The storm had gathered strength earlier this week over the South China Sea, evolving into a tropical storm by June 11. Its arrival marks the fifth-latest start to the Pacific tropical cyclone season in recent history—a reminder of how shifting weather patterns are impacting storm activity in the region.
Local authorities took swift action ahead of the storm, suspending ferry services, cancelling flights, and ordering public venues and popular tourist destinations to remain closed until further notice. Hainan, known for its beach resorts and holiday traffic, saw many of its visitors forced to extend stays or reschedule travel plans.
The storm’s name, “Wutip,” meaning “butterfly” in Cantonese, belied its destructive force as coastal communities braced for potential flooding and wind damage. So far, there are no immediate reports of injuries or severe damage, but officials remain on high alert as heavy rains continue to sweep across the island province.
Meteorologists expect the storm to weaken as it moves inland, but lingering rain and gusty winds could disrupt local services for another day.