Since June 12, affected by Typhoon Wutip, rainstorm to torrential rain and locally extremely downpour have occurred in eastern Guangxi, China. 

According to statistics, the maximum cumulative rainfall registered 371.2 mm in Shapo Town, Luchuan County, Yulin, Guangxi. Winds of scale 8 or above have appeared in the Beibu Gulf, the coastal areas of southern Guangxi and eastern Guangxi, with the maximum recorded as 29.7 meters per second (grade 11) at Yangwei Ridge, Jieyang Island.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Meteorological Service (hereinafter referred to as the Service) released level-four warning of Typhoon on June 11, and upgraded to level-three on June 12 to tackle the weather process. It also issued level-four warning of rainstorm on June 14. On June 15, it upgraded the two warnings concerning the diminishing impacts of the weather process.

The Service also reinforce communication and interactions with other departments. It has jointly issued 8 meteorological risk warnings of geological disasters and mountain torrents in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Water Resources, and the Water Resources Center of Guangxi. Daily highway traffic risk warning tips were also jointly released with the transportation and traffic police departments.

Guangxi emergency response decision-making assistance system Source: The Service

Meteorological departments across Guangxi have called and alerted more than 4,000 primary-level emergency responders via telephone and “Shanxin”messages.

Beihai and Nanning have carried out Beidou Drifting Sounding and intensive sounding, utilizing real-time observation data from manned aircraft, dropped sounding, weather radar, and wind profile radar of Hong Kong Observatory to achieve comprehensive and coordinated observation of long-distance  precise typhoon early warning and close-range observation.

According to meteorological information, during the impacts of the Typhoon, Guangxi Maritime Administration of People's Republic of China activated the highest-level typhoon emergency response look into potential risk. Other departments such as natural resources, and water resources have activated corresponding levels of emergency responses. 

Guangxi emergency response decision-making assistance system Source: The Service

Ships at sea have returned to port to take shelter from the wind, trains on many routes have been suspended, and relevant personnel have been relocated and resettled in advance in various places of Guangxi.

From June 11 to 15, various departments across Guangxi have issued 472 early warning text messages through the Guangxi Emergency Early Warning Information Release System, with 76.02 million recipients. Loudspeakers were harnessed to release warnings 31,200 times.

Progressive meteorological service given full play in Weizhou Island

“It was a narrow escape. Thanks to the accurate forecast of the meteorological department, we were able to evacuate safely from Weizhou Island!”The tourist said with lingering fear as he got off the boat.

At 11:50 on June 12, with the last passenger ship, "Beiyou 15", blaring its horn and berthing at the port, the Weizhou Island to Beihai passenger route successfully completed 12 evacuation tasks, safely escorting nearly 10,000 tourists away from the island before the arrival of Typhoon Wutip.

Beihai Municipal Meteorological Department (hereinafter referred to as the Department), Guangxi initiated progressive meteorological service mechanism. The refined forecasting of air routes served as the "baton" for adjusting the evacuation plan, buying precious time for the safe evacuation of tourists. The round-trip route between Beihai and Weizhou Island has also been completely suspended since noon on June 12.

At noon on June 12, the local maritime administration completed the safe evacuation of tourists from Weizhou Island. Source: Guangxi Transport Bureau

On June 10, in the Beibu Gulf, the water was rippling and tourists came in a continuous stream. On that day, the Department pointed out that a tropical depression had formed over the South China Sea and was about to become No.1 Typhoon Wutip of this year. There would be obvious wind and rain on the sea surface of Beihai Sea and the Beibu Gulf, and precautions needed to be boosted.

On June 11, LIANG Baorong, Director of Beihai Municipal Meteorological Observatory (hereinafter referred to as the Observatory), kept an eye on the constantly updated track of the typhoon and issued instructions resolutely. Immediately, the Department initiated a level-four emergency response and held joint consultations with multiple departments including emergency management, oceanography, water resources, and hydrology to tackle the impacts of Wutip.

LIANG Baorong led his team to provide hourly sea surface wind force and visibility forecasts for the normal operation of the Beihai-Weizhou Island route on an updated basis, while closely monitoring the typhoon's movement to capture the crucial window period for the final evacuation of tourists.

At 16:30 on June 11, the Observatory issued a special warning for the Beihai-Weizhou Island route for the first time.

After receiving the meteorological warning information, the Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters Office of Weizhou Island Tourist Scenic Area issued the No. 1 emergency notice of the year, requiring tourists on the island to take a ship to leave the island before noon on June 12, and residents on the island to strictly implement typhoon prevention measures. At the same time, relevant departments quickly activated emergency responses, adjusted and increased shifts, and assembled passenger ships to evacuate tourists.

The local maritime administration assisted in transferring injured passengers on Weizhou Island. Source: Guangxi Transportation Bureau 

At the night of June 11, the Observatory was brightly lit, with large screens displaying various monitoring data such as typhoon tracks, sea wind fields, and precipitation on a real-time basis.

Forecasters intently fixated their eyes on the fluctuating meteorological data, analyzed the weather condition, and continuously updated and refined forecasts for sea wind force and visibility, effectively ensuring the navigation safety of return passenger ships in complex sea conditions.

On June 14, Typhoon Wutip arrived, and passenger ships on the Beihai-Weizhou Island route docked at the port in an orderly manner. Photo credits to Beihai Xinyi Cruise Co., LTD

On June 15, after two days of suspension, the Beihai-Weizhou Island route resumed its usual bustling scene.

In collaboration with the Service

Special thanks to HAN Jiale with the Service

Planned by/Editor: LIU Shuqiao