Key facts
- Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in China's Zhejiang Province on Sunday.
- Over 1,000 flight cancellations occurred across China.
- More than 300,000 people were evacuated in eastern China.
- Shanghai airports cancelled nearly 1,400 flights on Sunday and 943 on Monday.
- Severe flash flood and heavy rainfall alerts are active for parts of Zhejiang and Beijing.
Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in eastern China on Sunday, leading to widespread flight cancellations, mass evacuations, and severe weather alerts. While the storm has weakened, authorities continue to warn of heavy rainfall and flooding risks in multiple provinces.
China's National Meteorological Centre issued its least severe typhoon alert on Monday morning as Typhoon Dolphin lost power after hitting Zhejiang Province. However, parts of east and central China are expected to experience continued heavy rainfall. The most severe flash flood alert was issued for parts of eastern and southern Zhejiang, with risks of landslides and flooding also present in Beijing.
Authorities had already preemptively relocated over 300,000 people in eastern China before the storm's arrival. In Shanghai, more than 30,000 people were evacuated from high-risk areas. Social media images depicted high winds and overturned trucks in Zhejiang, where the typhoon initially made landfall.
Transportation services were significantly impacted. Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao International Airports cancelled 943 flights on Monday, representing a nearly 40% reduction in capacity. On Sunday, these airports had cancelled approximately 1,500 flights, about 60% of their schedule. Several local train services were also suspended. Meanwhile, transport facilities in Zhejiang province began to resume operations, though Ningbo International Airport cautioned of potential delays and cancellations.
Typhoon Dolphin's impact was also felt in Japan's Okinawa, where seven people sustained minor injuries and thousands of households lost electricity. In Taiwan, dozens of ferry services were suspended and over 180 flights cancelled. The Philippines reported five people rescued and seven missing after a landslide.
This event follows recent typhoons that have affected China, including Typhoon Noul in Guangdong and Typhoon Maysak in Hubei, which caused fatalities and injuries. Scientists note that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.