Typhoon Dolphin weakens after record rains and 1.6 million evacuations in China

Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful cyclone to hit China this year, made landfall twice on Sunday in Zhejiang province, bringing record rainfall to Shanghai and forcing the evacuation of at least 1.6 million people across the eastern coast Source: infobae, elcaribedr. The storm has since weakened to a tropical storm, but authorities maintain an orange alert for heavy rain as it moves inland Source: hoydo.

Impact

• Record rainfall: A central Shanghai station recorded 312.9 mm in 24 hours, the highest in over 150 years, with some areas across the Huangpu River exceeding 400 mm Source: elcaribedr, lavanguardia.
• Transport disruption: Over 1,400 flights were cancelled at Shanghai's two main airports on Sunday, with hundreds more on Monday; four metro lines were suspended and all passenger ferry services halted Source: elnacionalve, diariolibree.
• Evacuations: More than 900,000 people were moved in Wenzhou, over 390,000 in Taizhou, 215,600 in Shanghai, and nearly 168,000 in Fujian Source: clarin.

Regional effects

Before reaching China, Dolphin lashed Okinawa, Japan, injuring seven people and leaving 5,290 homes without power Source: excelsiormx. In Taiwan, dozens of ferry services and 180 flights were cancelled Source: abces. The storm also intensified monsoon rains in the Philippines, where a landslide in Baguio killed ten people, raising the regional death toll to 19 Source: euronewses.

What's next

The National Meteorological Center forecasts heavy to torrential rain through Wednesday in eastern and central China, with some areas in Zhejiang and Anhui expecting 250–320 mm Source: hoydo. The government has activated national emergency mechanisms for rescue and relief in Zhejiang Source: lavanguardia. This storm follows a summer of extreme weather in China, including Typhoon Noul, which caused deaths and damage in Guangdong and the Philippines Source: elnacionalve.