Tropical Storm Dolphin has caused widespread disruption across eastern China, resulting in heavy rainfall, flooding, and the cancellation of hundreds of flights. After making landfall as a typhoon on Sunday evening in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, with winds reaching 151 kph, the storm continued to impact the region as it moved northwest at a speed of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour. The China Meteorological Administration expects the storm to gradually weaken.
The aviation sector faced severe setbacks, with the Shanghai Airport Group reporting that over 900 flights—approximately 40% of scheduled operations—were cancelled at Hongqiao and Pudong airports on Monday. This follows the cancellation of 1,300 flights the previous day. Transportation infrastructure was further hampered as Shanghai suspended several metro lines, and the China Railway Chengdu Group halted 115 train services.
Authorities have mobilized large-scale evacuations to mitigate risks from flooding and potential landslides. At least 760,000 people were relocated preemptively, including 390,000 in Taizhou, 210,000 in Shanghai, and 160,000 in Fujian Province. In Yueqing, Zhejiang province, officials are actively searching for individuals trapped in flooded residences. Meanwhile, Hangzhou authorities have temporarily closed West Lake scenic spots, along with various temples, parks, and museums, with plans to reopen them on Tuesday.
Before reaching China, Dolphin brought intense monsoon rains to the Philippines, causing significant flooding and landslides in the northern Luzon region. A landslide in the mountain resort city of Baguio buried three houses on Sunday night, resulting in 10 deaths. Three additional individuals were hospitalized with injuries. According to the Office of Civil Defense, this incident brought the death toll in the region to 19 following a week of severe weather, with over one million people affected and 98,000 displaced. In a separate development, Tropical Storm Chan-hom is currently moving toward Japan’s Pacific coast with 83 kph winds, with landfall expected by Tuesday or Wednesday.
