Over 31,000 evacuated as heavy rain lashes China's Hainan province

More than 31,000 people have been evacuated from at-risk areas in China's Hainan Province as persistent heavy rain battered parts of the island.

As of 7.50pm on Sunday, 31,564 people had been relocated, though no major disasters were reported, according to the provincial committee for disaster prevention, mitigation and relief, Xinhua news agency reported.

From 8am Friday to 4pm on Sunday, rainfall exceeded 300 millimetres in 24 townships across six cities and counties, including Wanning, Lingshui and Qionghai.

Changfeng Township in Wanning recorded the highest rainfall of 452.1 millimetres. More rain is forecast from Sunday evening through Monday.

Hainan raised its flood-control emergency response to Level II at 11am on Sunday.

By 7pm on Sunday, Wanning had activated a Level I emergency response — the highest level in China's four-tier emergency response system — while Qionghai, Qiongzhong, Wuzhishan, Baoting and Lingshui were under Level II responses.

The six cities and counties have also ordered school closures, and eight cities and counties have closed some tourist attractions.

Authorities have also imposed traffic controls on affected roads.

Fire and rescue teams have been pre-positioned in key areas, with additional personnel and drainage equipment deployed to Wanning, Qionghai and Lingshui.

Power and telecommunications authorities have also prepared emergency repair equipment and supplies.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration jointly issued a blue alert for flash floods in parts of southeastern Hainan, while authorities issued a yellow alert for geological disaster risks in some areas.

Local authorities said they are closely monitoring rainfall and water conditions, managing reservoir operations and working to prevent flooding, urban waterlogging, geological disasters, and road and bridge submersion.

On August 22, the Ministry of Water Resources activated a Level-IV emergency response to flooding in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan, as Typhoon Narra was forecast to bring torrential rains to southern China.

Narra was the 19th typhoon of this year.