BEIJING — Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on China’s eastern coast on Sunday, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain to densely populated areas while authorities evacuated more than 1 million people and disrupted air, sea and other transport services across the region.
The typhoon, described by Reuters as the most powerful tropical cyclone to strike China in 2026, came ashore near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province, with winds reaching up to 151 kilometers per hour. Authorities warned of flooding and landslides as the storm moved inland.
Shanghai was among the areas heavily affected by the storm. More than 1,500 flights were canceled at the city’s airports, while ferry services were suspended and vessels were moved to safer locations.
More than 1 million evacuated
Authorities carried out large-scale evacuations across Zhejiang, Shanghai, Fujian and Jiangsu provinces as Dolphin approached. More than 900,000 people were evacuated in Wenzhou alone, according to Reuters.
Emergency measures were also introduced in coastal and flood-prone areas. Offshore construction activities were halted, while ships and other vessels were directed toward sheltered waters.
The storm was expected to produce particularly heavy rainfall in Zhejiang, with forecasts indicating that some areas could receive several hundred millimeters of rain. Rivers including the Qiantang and Yong were also expected to rise above warning levels.
The storm’s approach prompted extensive preparations in Shanghai, one of China’s largest transportation and commercial centers.
The cancellation of more than 1,500 flights affected both passenger travel and airport operations. Other transportation services were also disrupted as authorities prioritized public safety ahead of the typhoon’s strongest winds and rainfall.
The disruption comes less than a month after eastern China was affected by Typhoon Bavi, which also prompted large-scale evacuations and emergency measures in Zhejiang, Fujian and neighboring provinces. Chinese authorities had previously mobilized relief supplies and strengthened flood and typhoon emergency responses in preparation for that storm.
Before reaching China, Dolphin passed through Japan’s Okinawa region, where it caused widespread power outages and injured six people, according to Reuters.
The storm is forecast to continue moving westward after landfall and gradually weaken. However, forecasters warned that prolonged rainfall could maintain the threat of flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous and low-lying areas.
Authorities across affected provinces continued to monitor rivers, transportation networks and vulnerable communities as the storm moved inland.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
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