The approach of a strong tropical storm yesterday severely disrupted transport in parts of south China's Hainan and Guangdong provinces. 

The storm, "Jelawat," was expected to hit somewhere between Dianbai County in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan late last night, sources with the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau explained. 

As of yesterday morning the eye of the storm was located nearly 300 kilometers southeast of the city of Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province with strong northeasterly winds of about 20 kilometers per hour.

Haikou Maritime Safety Bureau issued a notice yesterday before the storm's arrival to call in all shipping operating in the Qiongzhou Strait.

Trains from Haikou to Guangzhou running across the Qiongzhou Strait were also suspended according to staff at Haikou Railway Station. It has not been clarified as to when ships and trains can resume working. 

Considering the storm's route and severity the disaster relief office in Guangdong urged relevant departments to implement effective measures to prevent potential disasters and loss of life. But the storm did bring heavy rain which helped ease the week-long heat wave in Guangdong.

Temperatures in Guangdong hit their highest level so far this year rising above 36 ℃  in most cities. Influenced by the storm the provincial capital Guangzhou had temperatures between 26-31 ℃  yesterday accompanied by heavy rain.

Guangdong, along with other coastal provinces in south China, is a frequent victim of tropical storms. Early in May, Typhoon Chanchu, the first tropical storm of this year, hit the province resulting in more than 180,000 people being evacuated from coastal areas. 

(China Daily June 29, 2006)