HAIKOU - More than 17,000 people in Haikou, capital city of China's southernmost island province of Hainan, have been evacuated as the city braces for potential flooding triggered by torrential rains.

A road in a village of Longquan town in Haikou, Hainan province is submerged in flood water after days of heavy rains on Oct 8, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

The water level at Longtang hydrological station on the Nandu River, the longest river in the province, reached 12.39 meters as of 9 am Saturday, 0.89 meters higher than the warning line, said the city's flood, drought and typhoon prevention office.

Authorities estimate the flood peak will reach the Longtang hydrological station between midnight and 2 am on Sunday.

As of 9 am Saturday, the water level of seven reservoirs in Haikou had surpassed the warning stages while 44 had released flood waters. The overflow flooded some roads leading to villages in Longquan township, Longhua district.

Relief supplies have been transported to these affected villages, said the local government.

According to the provincial weather forecast, average precipitation reached 130.9 mm from 8 am Friday to 8 am Saturday in Haikou, and rains are expected to continue to batter the city over the next two days.