Typhoon Maysak Weakens, Sanya Airport Resumes Flights

Sanya Phoenix International Airport resumed normal flight operations on the morning of July 4, after Typhoon Maysak — the 10th named tropical cyclone of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season and the first to make landfall in China this year — weakened as it moved away from southern China, according to Xinhua News.

Storm Makes Landfall in Hainan

Typhoon Maysak made landfall at approximately 18:20 on July 3 in Yelin Town, Lingshui Li Autonomous County, Hainan Province, with maximum sustained winds of 23 meters per second (Force 9 on the Beaufort scale) and a minimum central pressure of 990 hPa, CCTV News reported, citing the China Meteorological Administration.

The storm crossed Hainan Island overnight and entered the Beibu Gulf, where it continued moving northwestward. As of 08:00 on July 4, the storm’s center was located approximately 155 kilometers south-southeast of Dongxing, Guangxi, with maximum winds of 23 meters per second and a seven-level wind radius of 90 to 110 kilometers.

Airport Operations Restored

Sanya Phoenix International Airport suspended all flight operations from 17:00 on July 3, resulting in 92 cancelled flights — 50 inbound and 42 outbound — with only 87 flights executed before the suspension. At 06:00 on July 4, the airport began gradually resuming operations, and the first outbound flight, CZ6731, departed successfully at 07:18, Xinhua reported.

The rapid resumption — within approximately 13 hours of suspension — reflects both effective emergency management and the storm’s relatively limited intensity as a tropical storm rather than a full typhoon.

Widespread Transport Disruptions

Beyond the airport closure, the typhoon caused significant transport disruptions across Hainan. All trains entering and leaving Hainan Island were suspended on July 3 and 4. Hainan’s circular high-speed rail, the Sanle tourist railway, and Haikou’s urban rail system were all completely halted. Ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait were suspended from 02:00 on July 3, with authorities estimating a one-to-two-day suspension depending on weather conditions.

Schools Closed, Heavy Rainfall Reported

In preparation for the storm, all schools, training institutions, and childcare facilities in Sanya suspended classes from midday on July 3. Ledong County also closed kindergartens and schools, with kindergartens sending children home by 10:00 and primary and secondary schools closing for the afternoon.

The storm brought extreme rainfall to multiple regions. Sanya and Fushun in Liaoning Province experienced record-breaking downpours, with Hainan Island, Guangdong, Guangxi, and parts of the Yangtze River region receiving heavy to torrential rain. The China Weather Network reported that the storm was expected to continue bringing heavy rainfall to southern China through July 6.

Second Landfall Forecast

The Hainan Provincial Meteorological Bureau maintained a Level 3 (Yellow) typhoon warning as of 09:20 on July 4. Forecasters predicted that Maysak would make a second landfall on the evening of July 4 near the border of Guangxi and northern Vietnam, before turning northward and gradually weakening.

Analysis and Implications

Typhoon Maysak’s impact, while significant, was tempered by its relatively modest intensity. As a tropical storm rather than a full-strength typhoon, it caused primarily logistical disruption rather than catastrophic damage. The coordinated emergency response — including pre-emptive school closures, transport suspensions, and activation of emergency protocols — helped minimize risk to life and property.

Sanya’s status as a major international tourist destination means that even a 13-hour airport closure carries economic consequences, particularly during the summer holiday season. The airport’s rapid resumption of operations helped contain what could have been a broader disruption to travel plans for thousands of passengers.

Broader Weather Context

Typhoon Maysak arrived amid a summer of contrasting extreme weather across China. While southern China contended with the storm and heavy rainfall, northern China was simultaneously experiencing its most extensive heatwave of the year. Xinjiang and Gansu reported rare extreme temperatures, with forecasts suggesting Turpan could approach 50°C. The Yangtze River region continued to face persistent rain and flood risks, while Fushun in Liaoning recorded unprecedented rainfall.

This juxtaposition of extreme weather events — from typhoons and flooding in the south to record-breaking heat in the north — highlights the diverse climate challenges facing China during the summer of 2026.

Looking Ahead

As Maysak continues its path northward and weakens, the immediate focus for southern China shifts to recovery and flood prevention. The storm’s interaction with the monsoon season raises the potential for continued heavy rainfall across a broad swath of the country in the coming days. For Hainan’s tourism-dependent economy, the swift restoration of airport operations provides a measure of relief during the peak summer travel season.

Maysak is the first typhoon to make landfall in China in 2026, and with the Pacific typhoon season still in its early stages, authorities remain on alert for further storms in the months ahead.