HAIKOU -- More than 27,700 people were evacuated before tropical storm Nock-Ten made landfall over the southern island province of Hainan late Friday afternoon.

Nock-Ten was recorded as packing winds of up to 28 meters per second in Longlou Township in the city of Wenchang at 5:40 p.m., the provincial meteorological center said in a statement.

The tropical storm has brought strong winds and heavy rains and has reduced visibility.

Liu Chunmei, mayor of Wenchang, said the city authorities had evacuated more than 27,700 people from coastal fish farms, fishing boats, makeshift housing as well as from low-lying regions and areas downstream of dangerous reservoirs.

All 2,602 fishing ships have returned to ports, Liu said.

The local authorities were releasing water from major reservoirs as water levels rose amid heavy rains, the mayor added.

Downpours brought by the tropical storm have halted all shipping services across the Qiongzhou Strait, which separates Guangdong Province from the island, as well as some railway services.

In addition, 48 flights due to depart or arrive at Haikou Meilan International Airport had been canceled by 4 p.m., the airport said in a statement.

Nock-Ten, the eighth storm and the most powerful one to hit China so far this year, is moving northwest and is forecast to enter Beibu Bay Saturday morning. At least 31 people in the Philippines died as a result of the storm.