More than one million residents across eastern China have been forced to evacuate their homes as Typhoon Dolphin made landfall over the weekend. The powerful storm struck the Zhejiang province on Sunday evening with wind speeds reaching 150 kilometers per hour, before making a second impact near the city of Wenzhou. The financial hub of Shanghai and surrounding regions experienced significant disruption, with nearly 1,000 flights cancelled on Monday alone as heavy rain and strong winds swept through the area.
Although meteorological authorities downgraded the system to tropical storm status, officials warn that dangerous conditions will persist through Wednesday as the system moves northward. Forecasters predict substantial rainfall across multiple provinces, with some areas of Zhejiang potentially receiving between 250 and 500 millimeters of rain. Authorities have urged residents to avoid outdoor activities, and major tourist attractions including parts of Disneyland and viewing platforms along Shanghai’s famous Bund have closed as a precaution.
The evacuation efforts have been extensive, with Wenzhou authorities relocating approximately 900,000 residents and opening over 1,000 emergency shelters. In nearby Taizhou, about 390,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Hangzhou has waived parking fees in public spaces to assist residents seeking shelter. While no official casualties have been reported in China, a nine-year-old boy from the region remains missing after being swept into the sea.
About the Author
