Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful storm to hit China this year, has made landfall on the eastern coast, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Over 1 million people have been evacuated as authorities issue warnings for flooding and landslides across multiple provinces, including Zhejiang and Shanghai.
The typhoon, which previously impacted Japan, has caused significant transport disruptions and flight cancellations. Forecasters anticipate prolonged rainfall, exacerbating flood risks, particularly in mountainous areas.
Typhoon Dolphin Slams China's East Coast: Over 1 Million Evacuated Amidst Torrential Rains and Flood Warnings
Shanghai, China - Typhoon Dolphin, the most formidable tropical cyclone to make landfall in China this year, has struck the nation's eastern coastline, unleashing torrential downpours and fierce winds. Authorities have issued urgent warnings for widespread flooding and potential landslides as the storm progresses inland.
Before reaching China, Typhoon Dolphin swept across Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture, leaving six people injured and disrupting power to over 50,000 homes. The typhoon made its official landfall near Yuhuan in the eastern Zhejiang province on Sunday evening, with meteorological authorities reporting maximum sustained winds of 42 meters per second (approximately 151 km/h or 94 mph) near its core, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane-equivalent storm.
Torrential Rain and Escalating Flood Risk
Forecasters predict relentless rainfall through August 10th across a vast swathe of eastern China, including Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and significant portions of Jiangsu province. Some areas in central and eastern Zhejiang are bracing for rainfall totals between 250 to 500 mm (9.8 to 19.7 inches).
Following its landfall, Typhoon Dolphin is expected to maintain a westward trajectory before gradually weakening over central and southwestern China. Wang Haiping, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Centre, warned that this prolonged heavy rainfall significantly elevates the risk of severe flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous regions and along smaller river systems.
The storm has already caused widespread transportation disruptions across the eastern part of the country, forcing the evacuation of over 1 million residents from their homes. Shanghai alone saw approximately 1,500 flights canceled, with an additional 30,300 people evacuated, according to flight data provider VariFlight. A tourist from Guangdong, Mr. Chen, described being stranded in Shanghai after his family's flight was scrubbed, expressing uncertainty about their rescheduled flight the following day, though he downplayed the typhoon's severity based on his experience with storms in southern China.
In neighboring Zhejiang province, the city of Wenzhou undertook a massive relocation effort, moving over 900,000 residents and establishing more than 1,000 emergency shelters. Fujian province evacuated 98,900 people from vulnerable areas, while Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Jiangsu provinces have also implemented Level III emergency responses. Maritime authorities reported the suspension of 55 coastal passenger ferry routes, the halting of 115 offshore construction projects, and the relocation of 290 construction vessels to safer waters.
The Ministry of Water Resources has issued warnings for major flooding in the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao, and Shuiyang rivers, with smaller rivers in the most affected regions expected to surpass warning levels. High risks of geological disasters were also flagged for parts of Zhejiang, with residents in areas under a red mountain-torrent warning urged to comply with evacuation orders. Shanghai's Yangshan port took precautionary measures, clearing ships and moving over 500 smaller vessels to sheltered locations.
Scientists note that the increasing likelihood of extreme weather events, including more powerful typhoons, is linked to global warming.
