Typhoon Dolphin’s remnants brings torrential rain to Beijing

Beijing is bracing for a deluge as the remnants of Typhoon Dolphin channel vast amounts of moisture into the capital and the central province of Henan. The city anticipates receiving more than one-third of its average annual rainfall within a 24-hour period.

Dolphin, once the strongest typhoon to impact China in 2026, has weakened but continues to draw tropical moisture inland, significantly raising the risk of widespread flooding. State media reported that rainfall records were shattered on August 10 and 11 in parts of Henan and Hubei provinces. Wugang city recorded 209.5mm of rain, and Xiangyang received 169.1mm, both setting new single-day August precipitation records.

Scientists link China's increasing exposure to destructive weather events to climate change. The current year, 2026, is particularly challenging due to the El Nino weather pattern, which is driving up temperatures and intensifying typhoon activity.

Authorities in Beijing have issued an orange rainstorm warning, the second-highest alert level, and suspended six bus routes as the heavy rain disrupted the morning commute. In response to the growing threat of extreme weather, Chinese meteorologists are adopting a new generation of artificial intelligence weather models to enhance traditional forecasting systems and improve national resilience.

Extreme rainfall events annually inflict billions of dollars in economic losses across China, disrupting manufacturing operations and leading to crop destruction.