Typhoon Dolphin makes landfall in eastern China, disrupting transport

Yuhuan, China. Typhoon Dolphin, described as the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit China this year, made landfall near Yuhuan in eastern Zhejiang province on Sunday, bringing torrential rain and strong winds.

The storm disrupted transport across eastern China, prompted the evacuation of more than 1 million people and triggered warnings of flooding and landslides.

Landfall and forecast

China’s meteorological authorities said Dolphin made landfall at about 5:30 p.m. local time (0930 GMT), with maximum sustained winds of 42 metres per second, or 151 km/h, near its centre. The wind speed was equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Forecasters said torrential rain was expected through August 10 across Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and much of Jiangsu.

Parts of central and eastern Zhejiang could receive between 250 mm and 500 mm of rain, according to forecasters.

Flooding and landslide risk

After landfall, Dolphin was forecast to move westward before slowing over central and southwestern China and gradually weakening, Wang Haiping, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Centre, told state broadcaster CCTV.

The expected slower movement could prolong heavy rainfall and increase the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas and along smaller rivers.

Authorities moved offshore workers to safety, ordered vessels to return to port and stepped up inspections at reservoirs, mountain streams, landslide-prone areas, construction sites and tourist locations.

Disruption in Okinawa and Shanghai

Before reaching China, the typhoon swept through Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture, injuring six people and cutting electricity supplies to more than 50,000 buildings.

In Shanghai, at least 30,300 people were evacuated and about 1,500 flights were cancelled, according to flight-tracking data provider VariFlight.