Following Typhoon Dolphin’s landfall, more than a million residents have been evacuated from their homes in eastern China, including areas of Shanghai. The typhoon first struck Yuhuan in Zhejiang province at 17:30 (09:30 GMT) with peak winds reaching 150 km/h (94 mph). About an hour later, it made another landfall in Wenzhou as reported by meteorological authorities.
The typhoon caused major disruptions to transportation throughout the region, leading to the cancellation of 1,400 flights in Shanghai alone.
Although Chinese authorities had initially issued a maximum-level red alert for the typhoon, it was downgraded to a tropical storm by Monday morning. Despite this downgrade, the storm continues to advance inland and poses threats of torrential rains, severe flooding, and landslides through Wednesday.
Significant rainfall is forecasted for Monday in the provinces of Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. Additionally, Shanghai is also expected to experience heavy showers.
Images depict residents maneuvering through flooded streets in Shanghai, especially within the former French Concession area—a popular tourist destination where businesses on the ground floor are also impacted.
Local governments have recommended that residents remain indoors, and numerous popular tourist attractions are still closed. This includes sections of Disneyland and Legoland, as well as several viewing platforms along Shanghai’s Bund.
According to state media reports, a nine-year-old boy from Wenling, Zhejiang has gone missing after allegedly being swept into the sea. So far, Chinese officials have not reported any casualties.
In certain areas of Zhejiang, rainfall is expected to vary between 250mm and 500mm in the next few days. In Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang province, parking fees have been suspended at all public locations to offer shelter for drivers from the severe winds and flooding.
In other areas, approximately 900,000 residents in Wenzhou have been relocated and more than 1,000 emergency shelters established. Meanwhile, around 390,000 people have been evacuated from Taizhou.
In the coastal province of Fujian, maritime authorities have halted numerous passenger ferry routes and suspended over 100 offshore construction projects.
According to CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, Typhoon Dolphin traveled 6,000 kilometers before reaching landfall. This distance reflects a lifespan that is over three times longer than that of an average typhoon.
