Typhoon Dolphin Brings Fierce Winds and Flooding to Eastern China

Powerful Typhoon Dolphin slammed into eastern China on Sunday evening. The storm brought fierce winds, torrential rain, and towering waves to millions of residents. Authorities had already moved hundreds of thousands of people from danger zones before the worst hit. Shanghai airports cancelled more than 1,300 flights in total. That included about 60 percent of all scheduled departures at Hongqiao and Pudong terminals.

The eye of the system made landfall near Taizhou in Zhejiang province. It also battered northern sections of neighboring Fujian. Forecasters estimated wind speeds reached a staggering 151km/h, or roughly 93mph, right at impact. Rain totals look grim for parts of Zhejiang. Experts warn areas could see between 200 and 400mm of precipitation over the next few days. That is enough to trigger deadly floods and dangerous landslides.

Officials pulled about 390,000 people from Taizhou ahead of the worst weather. They also evacuated more than 30,000 residents from vulnerable spots in Shanghai. Ferries and cruise ships stopped running immediately across Zhejiang waters. Airlines had already cancelled China-bound services for northern Taiwan earlier on Saturday. Heavy rain there soaked Taipei and other cities before Dolphin fully hit the mainland.

The storm did not stop at the border. It intensified seasonal monsoon rains far to the south in the Philippines. Northern Luzon suffered from sudden flooding and ground sliding as a result. Officials reported that five people were rescued after a landslide struck three houses in Baguio. Sadly, seven others remain missing following the disaster. The event serves as a stark reminder of how quickly weather patterns can turn deadly for travelers and locals alike.