Typhoon Dolphin Batters China With Powerful Winds, Torrential Rain

BEIJING: (News Desk) – Typhoon Dolphin, described as the strongest typhoon of the year, has struck China’s eastern coast, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds while authorities warn of possible flooding and landslides.

According to China’s meteorological authorities, the storm made landfall near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province at around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Its centre was carrying winds of up to 42 metres per second, or 151 kilometres per hour.

Authorities had taken precautionary measures ahead of the storm, including evacuating people from vulnerable coastal areas, bringing vessels back to port and increasing monitoring at dams, mountain streams, landslide-prone locations and tourist sites.

The storm had earlier passed through Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture, where six people were injured and more than 50,000 buildings lost power.

Heavy Rain and Flooding Risk

China’s meteorological department warned that heavy rainfall could affect Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and large parts of Jiangsu through August 10.

Some areas of Zhejiang could receive between 250 and 500 millimetres of rain, raising concerns about flash floods, river flooding and landslides.

Wang Haiping, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center, said the typhoon was expected to move westward after making landfall before slowing over central and southwestern China and gradually weakening.

He warned that the storm’s slower movement could result in prolonged periods of heavy rainfall, particularly in mountainous regions and areas near smaller rivers.

Mass Evacuations and Transport Disruptions

The storm has caused widespread disruption to transportation across eastern China, with more than one million people evacuated from areas considered at risk.

In Shanghai alone, more than 30,300 people have been moved to safer locations, while around 1,500 flights have reportedly been cancelled.

Wenzhou in neighbouring Zhejiang province has evacuated more than 900,000 residents and established over 1,000 emergency shelters.

In Fujian, authorities said nearly 98,900 people had been evacuated from dangerous areas after the storm alert was raised to level three. Similar alerts were in place in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu.

Maritime authorities in Fujian suspended 55 coastal passenger ferry services, halted 115 offshore construction projects and moved 290 construction vessels to safer waters.

The Ministry of Water Resources also warned of possible major flooding along the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao and Shuiyang rivers.

In Shanghai, large vessels were moved away from Yangshan Port, while more than 500 small and medium-sized ships were relocated to safer areas.

Authorities have urged residents to follow official instructions and avoid unnecessary travel while the storm continues to affect eastern China.