A Hong Kong resident walks in a rain storm as Haima approaches on June 22, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

HAIKOU - The fourth tropical storm of the year, Haima, which formed early Tuesday morning, has brought gusty winds to southern Hainan Province, and caused some passenger ships to stop business on Wednesday, the local marine bureau said.

Related readings: Rainstorms to hit S China as tropical storm nears

According to the National Meteorological Center, Haima will bring downpours to southern Fujian, southern Guangdong, eastern Hainan, central and southern Taiwan, with wind speeds up to 17.1 meters per second at the Qiongzhou Strait, which is located between the southern provinces of Guangdong and Hainan.

On Tuesday, Hainan's provincial marine bureau launched its tropical storm emergency response system and issued a typhoon alert.

Fishing boats berth in a harbor in Haikou, Hainan province, June 22, 2011, as tropical storm Haima approaches. [Photo/Xinhua]