Typhoon Dolphin hits eastern China, over 1 million evacuated, flights cancelled

Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on China's eastern coast Sunday evening, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds, prompting the evacuation of over 1 million people and widespread flight cancellations.

The storm hit near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province with maximum sustained winds of 151 km/h, equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane. Authorities had taken extensive precautions, moving offshore workers to safety, ordering vessels back to port, and increasing checks at reservoirs, mountain streams, landslide-prone areas, construction sites, and tourist locations. In Shanghai, more than 30,300 people were evacuated, and approximately 1,500 flights were cancelled, leaving some tourists stranded.

Torrential rain is expected to continue through August 10 across Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and much of Jiangsu. Forecasters predict that parts of central and eastern Zhejiang could receive between 250-500 mm of rain. After making landfall, Dolphin is forecast to move westward, slow down over central and southwestern China, and gradually lose strength. This trajectory could prolong heavy rainfall and heighten the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous regions and along smaller rivers.

In neighboring Zhejiang province, the city of Wenzhou relocated over 900,000 residents and opened more than 1,000 emergency shelters. Fujian province evacuated 98,900 people from high-risk areas. While the typhoon caused significant disruption, one tourist from Guangdong described the storm as ordinary for China's southern coast, noting it did not appear particularly strong by their standards.

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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.