Typhoon Dolphin hits China’s east coast, over 1 million evacuated

Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful tropical cyclone to strike China this year, made landfall on the country's eastern coast on August 9. The storm brought torrential rain and fierce winds, prompting widespread warnings of potential flooding and landslides across several provinces.

Authorities took extensive measures to mitigate the impact, including moving offshore workers to safety, recalling vessels to port, and increasing surveillance at reservoirs, mountain streams, and landslide-prone areas. Despite these efforts, transport was severely disrupted, and over 1 million people were evacuated from their homes in eastern China. Shanghai alone canceled approximately 1,500 flights, stranding travelers.

Before reaching China, Typhoon Dolphin swept through Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture, where it injured six people and caused power outages affecting more than 50,000 buildings. The storm made landfall near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province with maximum sustained winds of 151 km/h (94 mph), equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane.

Forecasters predict heavy rain to continue through August 10 across Zhejiang, Shanghai, and surrounding regions. Parts of Zhejiang could receive between 250mm to 500mm of rain. As Dolphin tracks westward, it is expected to slow over central and south-western China, potentially prolonging the risk of severe flooding, especially in mountainous areas and along smaller rivers. A tourist from Guangdong described the typhoon as ordinary for those on China's southern coast, though provincial authorities reported significant evacuations, with Wenzhou relocating over 900,000 residents and Fujian evacuating nearly 100,000.

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To us Guangdong people, this typhoon is as ordinary as having a meal and feeling the wind. It’s just part of everyday life.