Chinese authorities have evacuated more than one million people from vulnerable areas across eastern China as a powerful typhoon brought torrential rain, strong winds and widespread disruption to the region, including Shanghai.
Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday evening before moving across eastern China. The storm caused major transportation disruptions, with nearly 1,000 flights cancelled in Shanghai on Monday as authorities warned residents to remain indoors.
Although meteorological authorities have since downgraded Dolphin to a tropical storm, officials continue to warn of heavy rainfall, flooding and possible landslides in several provinces through Wednesday as the system moves north.
The storm was previously placed under China's highest-level red alert and was described as the strongest typhoon to hit the country so far this year.
Typhoon Makes Two Landfalls in Zhejiang
Dolphin initially reached the coast near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province at around 17:30 local time on Sunday, according to meteorological authorities. At the time, the storm was generating maximum winds of approximately 150km/h (94mph).
About an hour later, the typhoon made a second landfall near Wenzhou.
Forecasters warned that several parts of eastern China could experience exceptionally heavy rainfall. Zhejiang province alone could receive between 250mm and 500mm of rain over the coming days.
Heavy rainfall was also expected across Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, as well as Shanghai.
Hundreds of Thousands Moved to Safety
Authorities in Wenzhou said approximately 900,000 residents had been relocated to safer areas, while more than 1,000 emergency shelters were opened.
In Taizhou, another city in Zhejiang, around 390,000 people were evacuated from areas considered at risk from flooding and strong winds.
Hangzhou, the provincial capital, announced that parking fees would be waived at public parking facilities to help residents seeking shelter during the storm.
In Fujian province, maritime authorities suspended numerous passenger ferry services and stopped more than 100 offshore construction projects as a precaution.
Officials across the region have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and outdoor activities while the storm passes.
Shanghai Sees Flooding and Travel Disruptions
Shanghai experienced heavy rainfall and flooding as Dolphin moved through the region.
Authorities cancelled hundreds of flights, while several major tourist attractions were partially closed. Sections of Disneyland and Legoland were affected, and some viewing platforms along Shanghai's famous Bund waterfront were also shut.
Images and videos shared by state media showed water entering ground-floor businesses in the city's former French Concession, a popular destination for visitors. Some residents were seen walking through flooded streets.
Authorities have not reported any confirmed deaths in China linked to the typhoon. However, state media reported that a nine-year-old boy from Wenling in Zhejiang was missing after reportedly being swept into the sea.
Storm's Long Journey Across the Pacific
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that Dolphin travelled roughly 6,000km before reaching China.
The broadcaster said the storm had an unusually long lifespan and an extensive circulation area, contributing to its ability to produce large amounts of rainfall over a wide region.
The typhoon had already affected parts of the Philippines, northern Taiwan and Japan's Okinawa region before reaching mainland China.
Storm Also Causes Damage Beyond China
The weather system has affected several other parts of East Asia.
In the Philippines, eight people have reportedly died following heavy monsoon rainfall associated with Dolphin and other storms earlier in the week, according to the country's Office of Civil Defence. More than 7,000 people were staying in evacuation centres.
In Okinawa, Japan, five elderly residents suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Three of those people reportedly fell because of strong winds.
Hong Kong also experienced unusual weather conditions. The city's observatory recorded a temperature of 36.9°C on Sunday as the storm pushed warm air across the territory.
Authorities Warn Against Storm Misinformation
The typhoon has also triggered a wave of misleading information online.
Chinese state media reported that authorities had detained two people accused of spreading false or misleading content about the storm.
One case reportedly involved a 60-year-old man who used artificial intelligence to create a fake video claiming that a person in Shanghai had fallen from a building during the storm.
A second man, aged 32, allegedly edited footage originally posted by other social-media users in a way authorities considered misleading.
Officials have urged the public to rely on verified information from government agencies and established news organisations during the emergency.
What Happens Next?
Dolphin is expected to continue moving north after weakening from its original typhoon strength. Despite the downgrade, authorities remain concerned about prolonged rainfall, flash flooding and landslides.
Residents in affected areas have been advised to follow evacuation instructions, avoid flooded roads and stay away from coastal areas until conditions improve.
Typhoon activity in the western Pacific generally increases between May and October. Weather experts have also warned that broader climate patterns can influence the strength and behaviour of tropical storms.
