diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs
index e5f4260..a2e107d 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs
@@ -115,59 +115,109 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers(
     pool: &Arc<MePool>,
     warn_next_allowed: &mut HashMap<u64, Instant>,
 ) {
+    if pool.draining_active_runtime() == 0 {
+        return;
+    }
+
     let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
     let now = Instant::now();
     let drain_ttl_secs = pool.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
     let drain_threshold = pool
         .me_pool_drain_threshold
         .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
-    let writers = pool.writers.read().await.clone();
-    let mut draining_writers = Vec::new();
-    for writer in writers {
-        if !writer.draining.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed) {
-            continue;
+    let mut draining_writers = {
+        let writers = pool.writers.read().await;
+        let mut draining_writers = Vec::<DrainingWriterSnapshot>::new();
+        for writer in writers.iter() {
+            if !writer.draining.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            draining_writers.push(DrainingWriterSnapshot {
+                id: writer.id,
+                writer_dc: writer.writer_dc,
+                addr: writer.addr,
+                generation: writer.generation,
+                created_at: writer.created_at,
+                draining_started_at_epoch_secs: writer
+                    .draining_started_at_epoch_secs
+                    .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed),
+                drain_deadline_epoch_secs: writer
+                    .drain_deadline_epoch_secs
+                    .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed),
+                allow_drain_fallback: writer
+                    .allow_drain_fallback
+                    .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed),
+            });
         }
-        let is_empty = pool.registry.is_writer_empty(writer.id).await;
-        if is_empty {
-            pool.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer.id).await;
-            continue;
-        }
-        draining_writers.push(writer);
+        draining_writers
+    };
+
+    if draining_writers.is_empty() {
+        return;
     }
 
-    if drain_threshold > 0 && draining_writers.len() > drain_threshold as usize {
-        draining_writers.sort_by(|left, right| {
-            let left_started = left
-                .draining_started_at_epoch_secs
-                .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
-            let right_started = right
-                .draining_started_at_epoch_secs
-                .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
-            left_started
-                .cmp(&right_started)
-                .then_with(|| left.created_at.cmp(&right.created_at))
-                .then_with(|| left.id.cmp(&right.id))
-        });
-        let overflow = draining_writers.len().saturating_sub(drain_threshold as usize);
-        warn!(
-            draining_writers = draining_writers.len(),
-            me_pool_drain_threshold = drain_threshold,
-            removing_writers = overflow,
-            "ME draining writer threshold exceeded, force-closing oldest draining writers"
-        );
-        for writer in draining_writers.drain(..overflow) {
-            pool.stats.increment_pool_force_close_total();
+    let draining_ids: Vec<u64> = draining_writers.iter().map(|writer| writer.id).collect();
+    let non_empty_writer_ids = pool.registry.non_empty_writer_ids(&draining_ids).await;
+    let mut non_empty_draining_writers =
+        Vec::<DrainingWriterSnapshot>::with_capacity(draining_writers.len());
+    for writer in draining_writers.drain(..) {
+        if non_empty_writer_ids.contains(&writer.id) {
+            non_empty_draining_writers.push(writer);
+        } else {
             pool.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer.id).await;
         }
     }
+    draining_writers = non_empty_draining_writers;
+    if draining_writers.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let overflow = if drain_threshold > 0 && draining_writers.len() > drain_threshold as usize {
+        draining_writers.len().saturating_sub(drain_threshold as usize)
+    } else {
+        0
+    };
+    let has_deadline_expired = draining_writers.iter().any(|writer| {
+        writer.drain_deadline_epoch_secs != 0 && now_epoch_secs >= writer.drain_deadline_epoch_secs
+    });
+    let can_drop_with_replacement = if overflow > 0 || has_deadline_expired {
+        pool.has_non_draining_writer_per_desired_dc_group().await
+    } else {
+        false
+    };
+
+    if overflow > 0 {
+        if can_drop_with_replacement {
+            draining_writers.sort_by(|left, right| {
+                left.draining_started_at_epoch_secs
+                    .cmp(&right.draining_started_at_epoch_secs)
+                    .then_with(|| left.created_at.cmp(&right.created_at))
+                    .then_with(|| left.id.cmp(&right.id))
+            });
+            warn!(
+                draining_writers = draining_writers.len(),
+                me_pool_drain_threshold = drain_threshold,
+                removing_writers = overflow,
+                "ME draining writer threshold exceeded, force-closing oldest draining writers"
+            );
+            for writer in draining_writers.drain(..overflow) {
+                pool.stats.increment_pool_force_close_total();
+                pool.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer.id).await;
+            }
+        } else {
+            warn!(
+                draining_writers = draining_writers.len(),
+                me_pool_drain_threshold = drain_threshold,
+                overflow,
+                "ME draining threshold exceeded, but replacement coverage is incomplete; keeping draining writers"
+            );
+        }
+    }
 
     for writer in draining_writers {
-        let drain_started_at_epoch_secs = writer
-            .draining_started_at_epoch_secs
-            .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
         if drain_ttl_secs > 0
-            && drain_started_at_epoch_secs != 0
-            && now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(drain_started_at_epoch_secs) > drain_ttl_secs
+            && writer.draining_started_at_epoch_secs != 0
+            && now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(writer.draining_started_at_epoch_secs) > drain_ttl_secs
             && should_emit_writer_warn(
                 warn_next_allowed,
                 writer.id,
@@ -182,21 +232,45 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers(
                 generation = writer.generation,
                 drain_ttl_secs,
                 force_close_secs = pool.me_pool_force_close_secs.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed),
-                allow_drain_fallback = writer.allow_drain_fallback.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed),
+                allow_drain_fallback = writer.allow_drain_fallback,
                 "ME draining writer remains non-empty past drain TTL"
             );
         }
-        let deadline_epoch_secs = writer
-            .drain_deadline_epoch_secs
-            .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
-        if deadline_epoch_secs != 0 && now_epoch_secs >= deadline_epoch_secs {
-            warn!(writer_id = writer.id, "Drain timeout, force-closing");
-            pool.stats.increment_pool_force_close_total();
-            pool.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer.id).await;
+        if writer.drain_deadline_epoch_secs != 0 && now_epoch_secs >= writer.drain_deadline_epoch_secs
+        {
+            if can_drop_with_replacement {
+                warn!(writer_id = writer.id, "Drain timeout, force-closing");
+                pool.stats.increment_pool_force_close_total();
+                pool.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer.id).await;
+            } else if should_emit_writer_warn(
+                warn_next_allowed,
+                writer.id,
+                now,
+                pool.warn_rate_limit_duration(),
+            ) {
+                warn!(
+                    writer_id = writer.id,
+                    writer_dc = writer.writer_dc,
+                    endpoint = %writer.addr,
+                    "Drain timeout reached, but replacement coverage is incomplete; keeping draining writer"
+                );
+            }
         }
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+struct DrainingWriterSnapshot {
+    id: u64,
+    writer_dc: i32,
+    addr: SocketAddr,
+    generation: u64,
+    created_at: Instant,
+    draining_started_at_epoch_secs: u64,
+    drain_deadline_epoch_secs: u64,
+    allow_drain_fallback: bool,
+}
+
 fn should_emit_writer_warn(
     next_allowed: &mut HashMap<u64, Instant>,
     writer_id: u64,
@@ -1330,6 +1404,15 @@ mod tests {
             me_pool_drain_threshold,
             ..GeneralConfig::default()
         };
+        let mut proxy_map_v4 = HashMap::new();
+        proxy_map_v4.insert(
+            2,
+            vec![(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 10)), 443)],
+        );
+        let decision = NetworkDecision {
+            ipv4_me: true,
+            ..NetworkDecision::default()
+        };
         MePool::new(
             None,
             vec![1u8; 32],
@@ -1341,10 +1424,10 @@ mod tests {
             None,
             12,
             1200,
-            HashMap::new(),
+            proxy_map_v4,
             HashMap::new(),
             None,
-            NetworkDecision::default(),
+            decision,
             None,
             Arc::new(SecureRandom::new()),
             Arc::new(Stats::default()),
@@ -1438,6 +1521,7 @@ mod tests {
         pool.writers.write().await.push(writer);
         pool.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx).await;
         pool.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        pool.increment_draining_active_runtime();
         assert!(
             pool.registry
                 .bind_writer(
@@ -1455,8 +1539,56 @@ mod tests {
         conn_id
     }
 
+    async fn insert_live_writer(pool: &Arc<MePool>, writer_id: u64, writer_dc: i32) {
+        let (tx, _writer_rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(8);
+        let writer = MeWriter {
+            id: writer_id,
+            addr: SocketAddr::new(
+                IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, (writer_id as u8).saturating_add(1))),
+                4000 + writer_id as u16,
+            ),
+            source_ip: IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST),
+            writer_dc,
+            generation: 2,
+            contour: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(WriterContour::Active.as_u8())),
+            created_at: Instant::now(),
+            tx: tx.clone(),
+            cancel: CancellationToken::new(),
+            degraded: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
+            rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0)),
+            draining: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
+            draining_started_at_epoch_secs: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0)),
+            drain_deadline_epoch_secs: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0)),
+            allow_drain_fallback: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
+        };
+        pool.writers.write().await.push(writer);
+        pool.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx).await;
+        pool.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn reap_draining_writers_force_closes_oldest_over_threshold() {
+        let pool = make_pool(2).await;
+        insert_live_writer(&pool, 1, 2).await;
+        assert!(pool.has_non_draining_writer_per_desired_dc_group().await);
+        let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
+        let conn_a = insert_draining_writer(&pool, 10, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(30)).await;
+        let conn_b = insert_draining_writer(&pool, 20, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(20)).await;
+        let conn_c = insert_draining_writer(&pool, 30, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(10)).await;
+        let mut warn_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
+
+        reap_draining_writers(&pool, &mut warn_next_allowed).await;
+
+        let mut writer_ids: Vec<u64> = pool.writers.read().await.iter().map(|writer| writer.id).collect();
+        writer_ids.sort_unstable();
+        assert_eq!(writer_ids, vec![1, 20, 30]);
+        assert!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_a).await.is_none());
+        assert_eq!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_b).await.unwrap().writer_id, 20);
+        assert_eq!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_c).await.unwrap().writer_id, 30);
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn reap_draining_writers_does_not_force_close_overflow_without_replacement() {
         let pool = make_pool(2).await;
         let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
         let conn_a = insert_draining_writer(&pool, 10, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(30)).await;
@@ -1466,9 +1598,10 @@ mod tests {
 
         reap_draining_writers(&pool, &mut warn_next_allowed).await;
 
-        let writer_ids: Vec<u64> = pool.writers.read().await.iter().map(|writer| writer.id).collect();
-        assert_eq!(writer_ids, vec![20, 30]);
-        assert!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_a).await.is_none());
+        let mut writer_ids: Vec<u64> = pool.writers.read().await.iter().map(|writer| writer.id).collect();
+        writer_ids.sort_unstable();
+        assert_eq!(writer_ids, vec![10, 20, 30]);
+        assert_eq!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_a).await.unwrap().writer_id, 10);
         assert_eq!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_b).await.unwrap().writer_id, 20);
         assert_eq!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_c).await.unwrap().writer_id, 30);
     }
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs
index 2a65160..56f3fbf 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs
@@ -160,6 +160,7 @@ pub struct MePool {
     pub(super) refill_inflight: Arc<Mutex<HashSet<RefillEndpointKey>>>,
     pub(super) refill_inflight_dc: Arc<Mutex<HashSet<RefillDcKey>>>,
     pub(super) conn_count: AtomicUsize,
+    pub(super) draining_active_runtime: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) stats: Arc<crate::stats::Stats>,
     pub(super) generation: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) active_generation: AtomicU64,
@@ -438,6 +439,7 @@ impl MePool {
             refill_inflight: Arc::new(Mutex::new(HashSet::new())),
             refill_inflight_dc: Arc::new(Mutex::new(HashSet::new())),
             conn_count: AtomicUsize::new(0),
+            draining_active_runtime: AtomicU64::new(0),
             generation: AtomicU64::new(1),
             active_generation: AtomicU64::new(1),
             warm_generation: AtomicU64::new(0),
@@ -690,6 +692,32 @@ impl MePool {
         }
     }
 
+    pub(super) fn draining_active_runtime(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.draining_active_runtime.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn increment_draining_active_runtime(&self) {
+        self.draining_active_runtime.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn decrement_draining_active_runtime(&self) {
+        let mut current = self.draining_active_runtime.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+        loop {
+            if current == 0 {
+                break;
+            }
+            match self.draining_active_runtime.compare_exchange_weak(
+                current,
+                current - 1,
+                Ordering::Relaxed,
+                Ordering::Relaxed,
+            ) {
+                Ok(_) => break,
+                Err(actual) => current = actual,
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     pub(super) async fn key_selector(&self) -> u32 {
         self.proxy_secret.read().await.key_selector
     }
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_reinit.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_reinit.rs
index 3d9d679..3cfc834 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_reinit.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_reinit.rs
@@ -141,6 +141,38 @@ impl MePool {
         out
     }
 
+    pub(super) async fn has_non_draining_writer_per_desired_dc_group(&self) -> bool {
+        let desired_by_dc = self.desired_dc_endpoints().await;
+        let required_dcs: HashSet<i32> = desired_by_dc
+            .iter()
+            .filter_map(|(dc, endpoints)| {
+                if endpoints.is_empty() {
+                    None
+                } else {
+                    Some(*dc)
+                }
+            })
+            .collect();
+        if required_dcs.is_empty() {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        let ws = self.writers.read().await;
+        let mut covered_dcs = HashSet::<i32>::with_capacity(required_dcs.len());
+        for writer in ws.iter() {
+            if writer.draining.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if required_dcs.contains(&writer.writer_dc) {
+                covered_dcs.insert(writer.writer_dc);
+                if covered_dcs.len() == required_dcs.len() {
+                    return true;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        false
+    }
+
     fn hardswap_warmup_connect_delay_ms(&self) -> u64 {
         let min_ms = self.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
         let max_ms = self.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_max_ms.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
@@ -475,12 +507,30 @@ impl MePool {
             coverage_ratio = format_args!("{coverage_ratio:.3}"),
             min_ratio = format_args!("{min_ratio:.3}"),
             drain_timeout_secs,
-            "ME reinit cycle covered; draining stale writers"
+            "ME reinit cycle covered; processing stale writers"
         );
         self.stats.increment_pool_swap_total();
+        let can_drop_with_replacement = self
+            .has_non_draining_writer_per_desired_dc_group()
+            .await;
+        if can_drop_with_replacement {
+            info!(
+                stale_writers = stale_writer_ids.len(),
+                "ME reinit stale writers: replacement coverage ready, force-closing clients for fast rebind"
+            );
+        } else {
+            warn!(
+                stale_writers = stale_writer_ids.len(),
+                "ME reinit stale writers: replacement coverage incomplete, keeping draining fallback"
+            );
+        }
         for writer_id in stale_writer_ids {
             self.mark_writer_draining_with_timeout(writer_id, drain_timeout, !hardswap)
                 .await;
+            if can_drop_with_replacement {
+                self.stats.increment_pool_force_close_total();
+                self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer_id).await;
+            }
         }
         if hardswap {
             self.clear_pending_hardswap_state();
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs
index 8ce3de3..7490a98 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs
@@ -514,6 +514,7 @@ impl MePool {
                 let was_draining = w.draining.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
                 if was_draining {
                     self.stats.decrement_pool_drain_active();
+                    self.decrement_draining_active_runtime();
                 }
                 self.stats.increment_me_writer_removed_total();
                 w.cancel.cancel();
@@ -572,6 +573,7 @@ impl MePool {
                     .store(drain_deadline_epoch_secs, Ordering::Relaxed);
                 if !already_draining {
                     self.stats.increment_pool_drain_active();
+                    self.increment_draining_active_runtime();
                 }
                 w.contour
                     .store(WriterContour::Draining.as_u8(), Ordering::Relaxed);
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs
index cc3028b..cbe1d9a 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs
@@ -436,6 +436,19 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
             .map(|s| s.is_empty())
             .unwrap_or(true)
     }
+
+    pub(super) async fn non_empty_writer_ids(&self, writer_ids: &[u64]) -> HashSet<u64> {
+        let inner = self.inner.read().await;
+        let mut out = HashSet::<u64>::with_capacity(writer_ids.len());
+        for writer_id in writer_ids {
+            if let Some(conns) = inner.conns_for_writer.get(writer_id)
+                && !conns.is_empty()
+            {
+                out.insert(*writer_id);
+            }
+        }
+        out
+    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
@@ -634,4 +647,35 @@ mod tests {
         );
         assert!(registry.get_writer(conn_id).await.is_none());
     }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn non_empty_writer_ids_returns_only_writers_with_bound_clients() {
+        let registry = ConnRegistry::new();
+        let (conn_id, _rx) = registry.register().await;
+        let (writer_tx_a, _writer_rx_a) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
+        let (writer_tx_b, _writer_rx_b) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
+        registry.register_writer(10, writer_tx_a).await;
+        registry.register_writer(20, writer_tx_b).await;
+
+        let addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 443);
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .bind_writer(
+                    conn_id,
+                    10,
+                    ConnMeta {
+                        target_dc: 2,
+                        client_addr: addr,
+                        our_addr: addr,
+                        proto_flags: 0,
+                    },
+                )
+                .await
+        );
+
+        let non_empty = registry.non_empty_writer_ids(&[10, 20, 30]).await;
+        assert!(non_empty.contains(&10));
+        assert!(!non_empty.contains(&20));
+        assert!(!non_empty.contains(&30));
+    }
 }