A newly formed tropical depression over the South China Sea is projected to strengthen into a typhoon and deliver dual landfalls across southern China this week, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and coastal storm threats just as the nation officially enters its main flood season.
Tropical Depression Forms in South China Sea
A tropical depression formed on Tuesday morning over the South China Sea, with forecasters anticipating a swift intensification into a typhoon within a 24-hour window, according to the National Meteorological Center. When it achieves typhoon status, the system will mark the first typhoon to make landfall in China this year.
At 2 p.m., tracking data showed the storm center positioned roughly 880 kilometers southeast of Qionghai in Hainan province. The system was packing maximum sustained winds of 54 kilometers per hour while moving northwest at a pace of 20 to 25 kilometers per hour.
Projected Landfalls Across Southern Coastlines
Forecasters expect the storm to intensify further before executing its first landfall during the daytime on Friday. The trajectory targets the coastal corridor situated between eastern Hainan and western Guangdong province. After crossing Hainan Island, the system is projected to push into the Beibu Gulf.
A second landfall is slated for Saturday along the coast of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The storm is expected to strike Guangxi as a tropical storm before gradually losing strength inland.
Torrential Rain and Extreme Weather Warnings
The advancing system threatens widespread disruption across multiple provinces. Damaging winds could batter much of the South China Sea and coastal southern regions, with gusts reaching up to 133 kilometers per hour in parts of eastern Hainan’s coast.
Heavy rainfall is forecasted from Friday through Sunday across Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Hunan provinces. Some coastal areas in southern Guangxi face accumulations exceeding 400 millimeters of rain. Forecasters warn that rainfall totals in parts of southern Guangxi and northern Hainan could approach historical records for early July, accompanied by intense hourly rates of 80 to 100 millimeters.
Flood Season Preparations and Broader Risks
Local authorities across southern China are rushing to reinforce aquaculture facilities, suspend risky maritime activities, and tighten safety protocols for shipping, offshore operations, and island tourism. Residents have received strong advisories to avoid travel to coastal and island destinations while the storm impacts the area.
The arrival of the system coincides with the official start of China’s main flood season, as designated by the Ministry of Water Resources. Above-average rainfall is predicted across both northern and southern regions through July and August, heightening the danger of flash floods, landslides, and mudslides while creating severe flood risks along major river basins including the Yangtze, Yellow, Songhua, Liaohe, and Huaihe rivers.
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