IN BRIEF (Page 5)

Hainan

Heavy downpour forces evacuations

More than 11,000 people have been evacuated in Hainan province after heavy rain battered the island, the provincial flood control authority said on Wednesday. Heavy downpours began on Monday, with a total of 46 townships affected, the authority said. In Wanning, more than 78 villages were flooded, a highway section was inundated and all schools were suspended on Tuesday. Firefighters, border patrols and armed police are taking part in rescue operations. All low-lying areas have been cordoned off and several tourist destinations were closed, the authority said.