Typhoon Dolphin struck China’s eastern coast on Sunday, making landfall in Yuhuan city in Zhejiang Province, according to the China Meteorological Administration and news agency reports.
China’s National Meteorological Centre issued a red typhoon alert, its most severe warning, as Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in Yuhuan in the southeastern Zhejiang province. Flights in and out of China’s densely populated eastern coast were cancelled and nearly 100,000 people were relocated to less risky areas, according to authorities. France 24France 24
Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds continued to lash coastal areas in the storm’s wake, with forecasters warning of a prolonged and dangerous rainfall event. The meteorological department said parts of central and eastern Zhejiang could receive between 250 and 500 millimeters of rain, while some areas were warned they could see even higher totals in the coming days. CNBC
The storm hit the coast Sunday evening with sustained winds of up to 162 kilometers per hour, equivalent to a Category 2 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, making it the most powerful typhoon to make landfall in China so far this year. CNBC
Ahead of landfall, authorities took extensive precautions across the region. Offshore workers were moved to safety, vessels were ordered back to port, and checks were increased at reservoirs, mountain streams, landslide-prone areas, construction sites and tourist locations. Nearly 1,400 flights in and out of Shanghai’s two main passenger airports were cancelled, while Hangzhou’s airport in Zhejiang saw 270 flights called off. France 24France 24
The storm had already caused damage before reaching China. Typhoon Dolphin swept through Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture in the preceding days, injuring six people and cutting power to more than 50,000 buildings. France 24
Forecasters expect the danger to persist well after landfall. Torrential rain is forecast through August 10 across Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and much of Jiangsu. After landfall, the storm is expected to track westward before slowing over central and southwestern China and gradually losing strength, according to the National Meteorological Centre. CNBCCNBC
Meteorologists have described the storm as an unusual system. Chief forecaster Dong Lin said Typhoon Dolphin formed near the International Date Line, something that had never happened before since meteorological records began, giving it a long lifespan and a large circulation system. Global Times
Authorities are continuing to monitor flood and landslide risks across the affected provinces as the storm moves further inland.