Haikou, China—Tropical Storm Maysak tore through the southern province of Hainan on July 4, 2026, leaving a trail of blackouts and fatalities in its wake. The storm system, which made landfall late Friday, continued to lash the island with high-velocity winds and torrential rain well into Saturday morning.
Utility companies reported that hundreds of thousands of residents remain without electricity as the regional grid struggles under the weight of the storm. Maintenance crews faced extreme difficulty reaching damaged substations due to flooded roadways and fallen trees.
Local officials confirmed that at least two people lost their lives during the height of the storm. One victim was found near a downed utility pole in the rural outskirts of Sanya, while another death was recorded in a coastal residential area.
Emergency response teams moved through inundated neighborhoods overnight. Search and rescue operations remain active in the most severely impacted low-lying sectors. Heavy equipment is being deployed to clear debris from arterial roads to allow for medical access.
State media reported that maritime travel across the Qiongzhou Strait remains suspended for the second consecutive day. Port authorities indicated that vessel movement will not resume until the storm clears and safety inspections of the channels are finished.
Public transport throughout the province came to a total halt as high-speed rail lines shut down all services. Thousands of passengers were stranded at major transit hubs while air traffic at Sanya Phoenix International Airport saw total groundings.
Agricultural losses are expected to be substantial, as hectares of crops were submerged in the southern regions. Farmers are waiting for the water levels to recede to assess the full extent of the damage to their harvests.
Provincial leaders ordered heightened security patrols to monitor potential looting or accidents in darkened neighborhoods. Electricity restoration priorities currently focus on critical infrastructure, including hospitals and water treatment facilities.
The intensity of the storm persists in western regions of the province. Meteorologists stated that while the system is tracking toward the mainland, heavy rain will likely continue to threaten local geography for the remainder of the day.
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