Typhoon Dolphin forces million-plus evacuations in China amid record rainfall

Eastern China braced for Typhoon Dolphin, with over a million people evacuated by Sunday evening as the storm made landfall. Coastal cities like Wenzhou in Zhejiang province relocated more than 900,000 residents and opened numerous emergency shelters. Fujian province also moved nearly 100,000 people from high-risk areas.

Shanghai experienced record-breaking rainfall, with one weather station in the city center recording its highest 24-hour precipitation in more than 150 years. The deluge prompted the evacuation of over 215,000 people from at-risk zones and led to the cancellation of more than 1,300 flights at the city's two airports. Forecasters warned that continued heavy rain could trigger widespread flooding and landslides across eastern and central China through Wednesday.

Before reaching China, Typhoon Dolphin swept through Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture, leaving six people injured and cutting power to over 50,000 buildings. In the Philippines, while the typhoon did not make direct landfall, it intensified monsoon rains, causing significant flooding in many areas of the northern Luzon region, including the capital, Manila.

Scientists note that global warming is increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events, including more powerful typhoons. The widespread impact of Typhoon Dolphin highlights the growing vulnerability to severe weather phenomena.