China Deploys Drones, AI as Typhoon Dolphin Nears Coast

China's coastal provinces are on high alert as Typhoon Dolphin, the fourth typhoon to threaten the country this summer, approaches the coast. Ferry services have been suspended, construction projects halted, and fishermen evacuated as authorities prepare for the storm's expected landfall between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.

The National Meteorological Centre has issued a yellow alert, the third-highest warning level, signaling strong winds and heavy rain for Zhejiang, Fujian, and Taiwan. By Friday morning, Typhoon Dolphin had significantly intensified, growing to nearly 13 times the size of Zhejiang province, according to meteorologist Shen Yuyang.

In response to the impending threat, Chinese authorities are leveraging new technology. An artificial intelligence forecasting system at the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Centre aims to predict the typhoon's route, strength, and landfall factors up to 240 hours in advance. The center also cautioned that the typhoon's large wind radius necessitates attention from inland residents, not just those on the coast, with multiple provinces potentially facing heavy rainfall and flash flood risks.

Zhejiang province has initiated a level 2 emergency response, the second-highest tier in its four-level system. This has led to the suspension of 162 ferry routes and 193 construction projects over water. Additionally, 474 ships have been docked, and 15 tow boats are on standby for potential emergencies, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV.

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It was not clear where it might travel after landing.