Typhoon Zitan Triggers Level 2 Emergency Response in Guangxi
Typhoon Zitan, the 19th named storm of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season, has prompted a significant escalation of emergency response measures in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with 13 rivers and 19 monitoring stations exceeding warning levels and more than 61,000 people affected by the disaster.
According to Xinhua News, the typhoon’s center was located in the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin) approximately 165 kilometers west-southwest of Beihai, Guangxi, with maximum sustained winds of 8 levels (18-20 m/s) and a minimum central pressure of 990-992 hPa as of the morning of August 23.
A Storm Circling in the Beibu Gulf
The typhoon is expected to remain nearly stationary in the Beibu Gulf before turning northeast-north from the evening of August 23, gradually strengthening to a severe tropical storm (10-11 levels, 25-30 m/s) as it approaches the Guangxi coast and the western side of the Leizhou Peninsula in Guangdong, according to the China Weather Network Guangxi Station.
The Beibu Gulf’s semi-enclosed geography often causes typhoons to slow down and circle, prolonging rainfall and significantly increasing flood risks. Forecasters predict sustained heavy rain across the coastal areas and southwestern Guangxi, with cumulative rainfall of 100-250 millimeters and localized amounts exceeding 400 millimeters.
Flood Situation Worsens Across Guangxi
As of August 23, 13 rivers and 19 monitoring stations in Guangxi had exceeded warning levels by 0.03 to 6.03 meters, including the Ming River and its tributaries, the Zuo River and its upper reaches, and the Beilun River. By 08:00 on August 23, 11 rivers and 15 stations remained above warning levels.
The Zuo River at the Chongzuo hydrological station reached its warning level (101.20 meters) at 06:50 on August 23, with a flow rate of 6,720 cubic meters per second, officially designated as the Zuo River 2026 No. 1 Flood, as China News Service reported.
Escalating Emergency Response
Multiple government agencies have progressively raised their emergency response levels:
- The Guangxi Meteorological Observatory upgraded its typhoon warning from Level 4 to Level 3 on August 22
- The Guangxi Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters adjusted the flood/typhoon emergency response from Level 4 to Level 3 for Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, and Chongzuo cities
- The Ministry of Water Resources activated a Level IV flood defense emergency response for Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan
- The China Meteorological Administration adjusted its rainstorm Level 4 emergency response to a combined typhoon/rainstorm Level 4 response
- Guangxi activated a Level 4 natural disaster relief emergency response at 19:00 on August 23, as Sina News reported
According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, typhoon defense is currently the top priority, with officials warning that southern South China and the South China Sea will experience sustained wind and rain, particularly in Hainan and southern Guangxi where cumulative rainfall has extreme characteristics.
Human Impact and Relief Efforts
As of 18:00 on August 23, the disaster has affected 61,000 people across Guangxi, with 54,000 people relocated and 8,087 people urgently relocated and resettled, according to China News Service. Six cities, 17 counties, and 64 townships experienced heavy rainstorm or above conditions.
The National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Committee Office, Emergency Management Department, and National Grain and Strategic Reserves Administration have allocated 20,000 central disaster relief items—including folding beds, summer quilts, towels, blankets, raincoats, and rain boots—to Guangxi, as Hunan Daily reported. Additionally, 10 foundations and social platforms, including Tencent, ByteDance, and Meituan foundations, have donated 27,000 items including bottled water, instant noodles, bread, buckets, mats, and family kits.
The Guangxi News reported that local authorities have been implementing comprehensive flood prevention measures, including monitoring, forecasting, joint consultation, and early warning call-response mechanisms. Officials have emphasized the importance of decisive personnel evacuation and avoidance to fully protect the safety of people’s lives and property.
An Unusually Active Typhoon Season
August 2026 has seen an unusual convergence of multiple typhoons in the Western Pacific. Typhoon Shadel (#18) is moving toward the East China Sea and may reach super typhoon strength, potentially affecting eastern China around August 28-29, while Typhoon Jianlawi (#20) is weakening and expected to dissipate in the Taiwan Strait on August 24.
This follows an already active season in which Typhoon Meisak caused severe flooding in Guangxi in July, with 65 rivers and 82 stations exceeding warning levels. The province has been dealing with significant flood pressure throughout the summer.
What to Watch For
Authorities expect Typhoon Zitan to continue affecting Guangxi over the coming days, with the storm forecast to strengthen as it approaches the coast. The prolonged rainfall in the Beibu Gulf region raises concerns about additional flooding in already-saturated river systems, potential landslides in mountainous areas, and further strain on disaster response resources.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation, with the Guangxi Meteorological Observatory continuing to issue typhoon Level 3 warnings and hydrological authorities tracking river levels across the region. The convergence of multiple active typhoons simultaneously is testing China’s disaster response capabilities across multiple regions, making the coming week critical for affected communities.