Typhoon Wutip, China's first typhoon of the year, is poised to strike the southern coast with dual landfalls, bringing heavy rainfall and disruptive winds. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) warned that the storm could hit Hainan Province between Lingshui and Ledong early Friday, packing sustained winds of 25–28 meters per second.
Railway services on Hainan Island were suspended Thursday afternoon as a precaution, with partial resumptions expected Saturday. Authorities urged residents and travelers to avoid coastal areas and heed safety advisories.
After crossing Hainan, Wutip is forecast to make a second landfall between western Guangdong and Guangxi on Saturday before weakening. NMC forecaster Zhang Ling noted the storm's northeast trajectory post-landfall, emphasizing risks of flooding and landslides due to intense rainfall.
Regions including Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, southern Hunan, and southern Jiangxi could see 100–300 mm of rain from June 13–14, with localized totals reaching 700 mm. The NMC advised businesses and communities to prepare for prolonged disruptions.
This early-season typhoon highlights the vulnerability of southern China's coastal economies, particularly in agriculture and tourism. Analysts suggest investors monitor supply chain impacts in electronics and manufacturing hubs like Guangdong.
