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🇳🇵 Nepal /Disasters & Emergencies

Typhoon Dolphin nears China's east coast, triggering flood warnings

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Typhoon Dolphin is forecast to make landfall on China's east coast Sunday night, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
  • Authorities are preparing for potential flooding and landslides, evacuating workers and securing vessels.
  • The storm, equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane, could cause significant damage to infrastructure and homes.

Typhoon Dolphin is poised to strike China's eastern coast, with authorities issuing urgent warnings for torrential rain and powerful winds. The storm, packing sustained winds of up to 162 kilometers per hour, is expected to make landfall Sunday evening into Monday. This intensity is comparable to a Category 2 hurricane, capable of causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

The storm is expected to hit ⁠the coast on Sunday evening and into Monday with sustained winds of up to 162 kilometres per hour (101 mph) before weakening and moving inland.

— China’s National Meteorological CentreDescribing the expected intensity and timing of Typhoon Dolphin's landfall.

Chinese officials are taking extensive precautions. Offshore workers have been moved to safety, vessels ordered back to port, and critical infrastructure like reservoirs and mountain streams are under increased scrutiny. Emergency response levels have been activated in affected provinces, including Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu, and Anhui, with teams dispatched to bolster preparedness.

Parts of central and eastern Zhejiang could receive 250-500 mm (9.8-19.7 inches) of rain, according to forecasters.

— ForecastersDetailing the potential rainfall amounts in the hardest-hit areas.

The meteorological center forecasts heavy rainfall through August 10, with some areas in Zhejiang potentially receiving up to 500 mm of rain. This prolonged rainfall, especially after the storm moves inland and weakens, raises concerns about severe flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous regions and along smaller rivers. Several rivers are predicted to experience major flooding, with smaller waterways potentially exceeding warning levels.

That could prolong heavy rain and raise the risk of flooding and landslides, especially in mountainous areas and along smaller rivers.

— Wang Haiping, chief forecaster at ⁠the National Meteorological CentreExplaining the potential consequences of the typhoon's track after landfall.

Beyond flooding, geological hazards are also a concern. A Level III geological-disaster response is in effect for Zhejiang, and Level IV for Anhui, highlighting the risk of landslides. Residents in areas under red mountain-torrent warnings are urged to comply with local evacuation orders. Shanghai's Yangshan port has already taken measures, clearing ships and moving smaller vessels to shelter, demonstrating the widespread impact and preparedness efforts underway.

The Qiantang, Yong, Jiao and Shuiyang rivers could see major flooding, while smaller rivers in the hardest-hit areas could rise above warning levels.

— The water resources ministryIdentifying specific rivers at risk of significant flooding.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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