(MENAFN) Hainan, a southern island province in China, raised its emergency response to the highest level early Sunday as Typhoon Kajiki surged closer, prompting sweeping safety measures and large-scale evacuations.

As of 8 a.m. local time, the storm was intensifying with sustained wind speeds reaching 38 meters per second. It was tracked approximately 210 kilometers southeast of Sanya, a popular tourist city, and is projected to either strike or skirt the southern coast later this afternoon or evening.

Authorities have relocated 20,728 residents from high-risk zones and confirmed that all 30,769 fishing vessels are now docked or safely anchored. More than 21,000 crew members have also been brought ashore.

To mitigate the impact, the province has stockpiled over 770,000 units of emergency supplies in key vulnerable regions. Additionally, more than 2,800 emergency responders are on standby with necessary vehicles and rescue equipment.

In Sanya, local officials have enacted a full shutdown of city operations—suspending schools, workplaces, businesses, public transit, shipping routes, and tourist attractions.

Authorities have urged the public to remain indoors, avoid coastal zones and temporary structures, and stay alert for potential landslides and other geological hazards.

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