Typhoon Dolphin Powerful Storm Hits China’s Eastern Coast, Triggering Flood Warnings

Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on China’s eastern coast on Sunday, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds while prompting authorities to warn of flooding and landslides.

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The typhoon reached the coast near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province at about 5:30 p.m. local time, according to China’s meteorological authorities. It carried maximum sustained winds of 42 metres per second, or about 151 km/h, near its centre.

Before reaching China, Dolphin passed through Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture. The storm injured six people and disrupted electricity supplies to more than 50,000 buildings.

Chinese authorities moved offshore workers to safety and ordered vessels to return to port. They also increased inspections around reservoirs, mountain streams, construction sites, landslide-prone areas and tourist destinations.

Heavy rain raises flood risk

Forecasters expect heavy rain across Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu through August 10. Parts of central and eastern Zhejiang could receive between 250 and 500 millimetres of rain.

After making landfall, Dolphin is expected to move westward before slowing over central and southwestern China. Meteorologists warned that the storm could weaken gradually but continue producing heavy rainfall.

As a result, the prolonged downpours could increase the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas and near smaller rivers.

Mass evacuations and travel disruption

Authorities evacuated more than one million people across eastern China as the storm approached. Shanghai alone relocated at least 30,300 residents and cancelled around 1,500 flights.

In Zhejiang, Wenzhou moved more than 900,000 residents to safer locations and opened more than 1,000 emergency shelters.

Meanwhile, Fujian authorities evacuated 98,900 people from high-risk areas after raising the province’s typhoon emergency response to Level III. Zhejiang, Shanghai and Jiangsu also activated Level III emergency responses.

The storm also disrupted maritime transport. Fujian suspended 55 coastal passenger ferry routes and halted 115 offshore construction projects. Authorities also moved 290 construction vessels to sheltered waters.

Authorities prepare for flooding

China’s water resources ministry warned that the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao and Shuiyang rivers could experience major flooding. Smaller rivers in the worst-hit areas could also rise above warning levels.

Officials issued geological disaster warnings for parts of Zhejiang. Residents in areas under red mountain-torrent warnings were urged to follow evacuation instructions.

In Shanghai, Yangshan port cleared ships from its berths and moved more than 500 small and medium-sized vessels to sheltered locations ahead of the storm.

The typhoon is expected to weaken as it moves inland. However, authorities remain on alert as heavy rainfall could continue to create flooding and landslide risks across several provinces.