Typhoon Dolphin Hits China Coast, Cancels 1,500 Flights

Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on China's densely populated east coast Sunday, prompting the cancellation of around 1,500 flights and significant transportation disruptions. The storm touched down near Yuhuan city in Zhejiang province, bringing with it heavy rains and strong winds.

Chinese authorities had prepared for Dolphin's arrival for several days, issuing a red typhoon alert, the highest level, warning of "extraordinary torrential rains" in parts of Zhejiang. Nearly 140,000 people were relocated in Fujian province alone before the storm hit. Shanghai's two main airports saw about 1,400 flights canceled, while the nearby city of Hangzhou canceled 270 flights.

Before reaching China, Dolphin passed through Japan's Okinawa island, where it caused minor injuries to seven people. One elderly man, over 100 years old, was swept by gusts and hit his head. Thousands of households in Okinawa experienced power outages. Taiwan also saw dozens of ferry services suspended and over 180 flights canceled due to the storm.

Dolphin's arrival in China comes two weeks after Typhoon Noul impacted the southern province of Guangdong, causing three deaths and damaging hundreds of homes in the Philippines before reaching China.