Tropical Storm Dolphin swept through eastern China, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, while authorities warned of severe flooding and landslide risks.
Dolphin made landfall on Sunday night (local time) in Yuhuan City, Zhejiang Province, with maximum winds of 151 km/h. Before the storm arrived, China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued a red alert, the highest level in the country's storm warning system.
More than one million people have been evacuated from coastal areas to avoid the storm. In Wenzhou City alone, Zhejiang Province, over 900,000 people were relocated. Approximately 100,000 were evacuated in Shanghai and 99,000 in neighboring Fujian Province, according to state media.
By Monday morning, Dolphin had weakened to a tropical storm as it moved deeper inland, continuing to bring heavy rain to Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shandong provinces.
Meteorological authorities forecast heavy rain lasting until August 10 in Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and most of Jiangsu. In parts of central and eastern Zhejiang, rainfall could reach 250–500 mm.
Two airports in Shanghai canceled a total of 943 flights, reducing capacity by about 40%, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Authorities urged residents to work from home and avoid going out unless necessary.
Rescue teams in Wenling City, Zhejiang Province, are searching for a 9-year-old boy swept into the sea by waves during the storm, local media reported.
Dolphin is considered the strongest storm to hit China this year. It is forecast to continue moving inland to Hubei and Henan provinces in the coming days, while pushing moisture northward.
In the capital Beijing, authorities raised a heavy rain alert and said the city is ready to activate flood prevention plans from Tuesday morning. Beijing is expected to experience "significant rain" from Tuesday to Thursday, with risks of flash floods in urban areas and landslides in surrounding mountainous regions.
