China is bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Dolphin, prompting authorities to relocate approximately 300,000 people in surrounding regions and forcing the cancellation of more than 1,300 flights at Shanghai's two major airports. The storm, which previously brought heavy rainfall to northern Taiwan and the capital city of Taipei, is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang province and northern parts of neighboring Fujian province late Sunday.
As of Sunday morning, the typhoon was packing maximum sustained winds of approximately 162 kilometers per hour (101 mph). Meteorological forecasters warn that the storm poses a significant risk of severe flooding, landslides, and torrential rain, with predictions of 200-400 mm (7.9–15.7 inches) of precipitation in some areas over the coming days. In Zhejiang, officials have specifically issued warnings regarding the high risk of landslides.
The impact on travel has been significant, with Shanghai’s Hongqiao and Pudong airports cancelling roughly 60% of their scheduled Sunday flights. In anticipation of the severe weather, authorities in Zhejiang evacuated 390,000 residents in the city of Taizhou on Saturday evening, while officials in Shanghai moved more than 30,000 people from high-risk zones. Furthermore, all water-based activities in Zhejiang, including ferry services and cruise operations, have been suspended.
