BEIJING – Typhoon Dolphin battered Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, injuring six people and knocking out power to more than 50,000 buildings as the powerful storm moved toward eastern China, where authorities have shut ports, suspended ferry services and stepped up emergency preparations.
Reuters reported that Dolphin brought maximum sustained winds of about 162 kph, with gusts reaching 216 kph, as it passed through Okinawa and Amami Island in Kagoshima prefecture.
Five elderly people in Okinawa suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including three who fell because of the strong winds. Another person was injured in Kagoshima, according to local authorities.
Power outages were reported across the affected Japanese prefectures. Nearly 39,000 buildings in Kagoshima lost electricity, while more than 12,000 buildings in Okinawa were affected. Major airlines ANA and Japan Airlines also canceled flights to and from Okinawa.
CHINA BRACES FOR DOLPHIN
Dolphin is now moving toward China’s eastern coast, with landfall expected between Zhoushan in Zhejiang province and Fuding in Fujian province, potentially between late Sunday and early Monday.
China’s National Meteorological Center placed Dolphin under an orange typhoon warning, the second-highest level in its four-tier warning system. Authorities also activated a Level III emergency response as officials prepared for flooding, landslides and other storm-related hazards.
The storm is expected to bring 200 to 400 millimeters of rainfall to parts of eastern China, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. Zhejiang, northern Fujian and Shanghai are among the areas expected to feel the strongest effects.
China’s National Marine Forecasting Center also maintained a red warning for dangerous waves, with waves of up to 5 to 8 meters forecast in coastal waters off Zhejiang. Coastal waters near Shanghai and northern Fujian could also experience waves reaching about 5.5 meters.
Authorities issued additional warnings for heavy rain, geological disasters and mountain torrents.
Zhejiang, a major manufacturing and export hub, raised its coastal typhoon alert to the highest level and halted port operations. Fishing vessels were ordered back to port, while ferry services, cruises, construction activities and tourist operations were suspended in several affected areas.
In Ningbo, authorities closed schools and educational facilities for the weekend and docked about 800 ships at the port ahead of the storm.
Ningbo Lishe International Airport also announced a suspension of flights on Sunday. Shanghai’s Yangshan port had already been cleared of vessels, while some rail services in the Yangtze River Delta were also scheduled to be suspended.
TAIWAN ALSO FEELS THE IMPACT
Taiwan canceled 78 flights, most of them international, as Dolphin approached, while heavy rain was forecast across northern parts of the island.
China also directed vessels transiting the Taiwan Strait to follow its traffic-control instructions because of the approaching typhoon.
Taipei criticized the move as an infringement on freedom of navigation, with Taiwan’s authorities rejecting China’s attempt to impose restrictions on shipping through the strait.
JAPAN PREPARED BEFORE THE STORM
Before Dolphin reached Okinawa, Japanese authorities ordered evacuations for nearly 260,000 residents in Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures, while more than 500 flights were canceled.
Toyota also suspended operations at nine factories as the typhoon approached.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned of violent winds, heavy rainfall and high waves, with the potential for flooding and structural damage. Parts of Kyushu were also placed under heightened concern because some communities are still recovering from a recent magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
As Dolphin approaches mainland China, authorities across eastern China are maintaining heightened preparedness for strong winds, torrential rain, flooding, landslides and dangerous coastal conditions.
The storm’s arrival could disrupt transportation and port operations across one of China’s most densely populated and economically important coastal regions.
Typhoon Dolphin battered Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, injuring six people and cutting power to more than 50,000 buildings, as China moved to shut ports, suspend ferry services and strengthen emergency preparations ahead of the storm’s expected landfall along its eastern coast.
Reuters reported that Dolphin brought maximum sustained winds of about 162 kph, with gusts reaching 216 kph, as it passed through Okinawa and Amami Island in Kagoshima prefecture.
Five elderly people in Okinawa sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including three who fell because of strong winds. Another person was injured in Kagoshima, authorities said.
Power disruptions were reported across the affected Japanese prefectures. Nearly 39,000 buildings in Kagoshima were without electricity, while just over 12,000 buildings in Okinawa were affected. Major domestic carriers ANA and Japan Airlines also canceled flights to and from Okinawa.
China braces for landfall
Dolphin is forecast to reach China’s east coast between late Sunday and early Monday, with the most likely landfall area between Zhoushan in Zhejiang province and Fuding in Fujian province.
China’s National Meteorological Center classified Dolphin under its orange typhoon warning, the second-highest level in the country’s four-tier warning system. Authorities also raised the emergency response to Level III as officials prepared for possible flooding, landslides and other storm-related hazards.
The National Marine Forecasting Center maintained a red warning for dangerous waves, forecasting waves of up to 5 to 8 meters in coastal waters off Zhejiang through Sunday afternoon. Coastal waters around Shanghai and northern Fujian could experience waves of up to 5.5 meters.
Chinese authorities also issued multiple warnings covering typhoon conditions, heavy rain, geological disasters and mountain torrents.
Zhejiang, one of China’s major manufacturing and export centers, raised its coastal typhoon alert to the highest level and halted port operations. Fishing boats were ordered back to port, while ferry services and some construction activities were suspended in eastern and southern China.
Ningbo Lishe International Airport in Zhejiang announced that it would suspend all flights on Sunday. Shanghai’s Yangshan port had already been cleared of vessels by late Friday, while some rail services in the Yangtze River Delta were also scheduled to be suspended.
Rain and strong winds are expected to affect parts of eastern China through August 12. Some areas could experience short-duration rainfall exceeding 80 millimeters per hour, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds.
Taiwan also affected
Taiwan canceled 78 flights, mostly international, as Dolphin approached, while heavy rain was forecast across northern parts of the island. Authorities had not ordered evacuations as of Saturday.
China also directed vessels transiting the Taiwan Strait to follow its traffic-control instructions because of the typhoon. Taiwan’s government criticized the move, with Taipei describing China’s action as “ridiculous” and asserting that Beijing has no authority to restrict navigation in international waters.
Japan had prepared for Dolphin
Before the storm reached Okinawa, Japanese authorities had ordered evacuations for nearly 260,000 residents in Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures, while more than 500 flights were canceled. Toyota also suspended operations at nine factories as the storm approached.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency had warned of violent winds, heavy rainfall and high waves, with the potential for flooding and structural damage. Parts of Kyushu were also at heightened risk, including areas still recovering from a recent magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
With Dolphin now moving toward China, authorities across the region are maintaining heightened preparedness as the storm threatens densely populated coastal areas, major ports, transportation networks and industrial centers.
