Thousands evacuated as typhoon nears south China

Chinese authorities on the southern island of Hainan have evacuated thousands of people, closed schools and halted rail services ahead of the expected landfall of Typhoon Wutip, state media said.

More than 16,000 people have been moved from "construction sites, low-lying flood-prone areas and regions at risk of flash floods", while over 40,000 working on boats had been moved ashore. Wutip, the first typhoon to make landfall in the country this year, formed over the South China Sea on Wednesday, the China Meteorological Administration said.