Typhoon Dolphin Hits Japan’s Okinawa, China Shuts Ports Ahead of Landfall

Typhoon Dolphin struck Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, leaving five people injured and disrupting power to 14,000 homes. The storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 162 kph (89.5 mph) and gusts up to 216 kph, was moving northwest of Kume Island.

In response to the typhoon's approach, China initiated precautionary measures, shutting down ports and suspending ferry services along its eastern coast. The storm is expected to make landfall between late Sunday and early Monday in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Some areas in Zhejiang could see over 600 mm (23.6 inches) of rain.

Taiwan also experienced disruptions, with 63 international flights canceled due to the typhoon. While heavy rain was forecast for the weekend, authorities had not ordered evacuations. However, China's directive for ships in the Taiwan Strait to follow its traffic control instructions was denounced by Taipei as "ridiculous" and an overreach, a claim rejected by both Taiwan and Washington.

Japanese domestic airlines ANA and Japan Airlines canceled flights to the affected region. Okinawa and Amami island in Kagoshima prefecture are the primary areas in Japan expected to bear the brunt of the typhoon. Meanwhile, Chinese ports and airports, including Ningbo Lishe International Airport, have halted operations, and some rail services in the Yangtze River Delta are set to be suspended.