Tropical Storm Maysak lashed Hainan on Friday, making landfall with maximum winds near its centre of 23 metres per second and forcing flight, rail and ferry suspensions.

Maysak hit the island's southeastern coast at around 6.20pm, the National Meteorological Centre said.

It warned that some areas could see rainfall of up to 350 mm within 24 hours.

Hainan's Sanya Phoenix International Airport suspended takeoffs and landings from 5pm, after 92 flights were cancelled by 11.30am, while all round-island high-speed rail services were halted, CCTV reported.

Passenger ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait were expected to remain suspended for one to two days.

Authorities urged evacuations from risk areas, describing flood prevention tasks as being "severe and complex." (Additional reporting by Reuters)



Edited by Thomas McAlinden