Heavy rainstorms in South China's Hainan Province are threatening the island's reservoirs. So far, three people have been killed, and three others are missing, in the area's worst storms in nearly half a century.

In the city of Wenchang, in the northeastern part of the island, water levels at a reservoir exceeded the alarm level by 1.3 meters on Friday morning, before bursting. More than 6,000 residents were evacuated to safety beforehand.

Meanwhile, another reservoir in the island's capital, Haikou, suffered from a dam break, with residents in the lower reaches having been evacuated. Explosives were used to blast the reservoir, to reduce the rising water level, but the dangers have not been removed. Four other reservoirs are also facing threats. More than 20,000 people are conducting rescue and relief work.

According to the local meteorological department, the downpours will continue to batter the island through the weekend, and are expected to wane by Monday.