Typhoon Dolphin Triggers Red Alert, Evacuates Millions in China

Tropical Storm Dolphin hammered eastern China with heavy rain and strong winds this weekend. The system made landfall late Sunday as a typhoon near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province. It carried maximum sustained winds of 151 kilometres per hour, or 94 mph. This intensity triggered China's highest weather alert level.

The National Meteorological Center activated a red alert for the approaching storm. Officials stated that more than one million people left their homes to stay safe. Search crews in Wenling, Zhejiang, are looking for a nine-year-old boy swept into the sea. Local media reported this heartbreaking scene during the chaos of the storm.

By Monday, Dolphin had weakened into a tropical storm as it moved inland. It continued to soak eastern provinces including Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shandong. Authorities forecast torrential rain through August 10 across Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and much of Jiangsu. Some parts of central and eastern Zhejiang could see between 250 and 500mm of rain. That equals roughly 9.8 to 19.7 inches falling on the ground.

Shanghai's two airports cancelled a total of 943 flights due to the typhoon. This action reduced flight capacity by nearly 40 percent, state broadcaster CCTV said. More than 900,000 residents were relocated in Wenzhou alone. Nearly 100,000 people evacuated in Shanghai. Another 99,000 fled their homes in neighbouring Fujian province. Authorities urged everyone to work from home and avoid going outside where possible.

Dolphin is the strongest typhoon to hit China this year so far. The storm is forecast to move deeper inland toward central provinces of Hubei and Henan in the coming days. It will also push moisture northward into other regions. Authorities in Beijing raised warnings for torrential rain there as well. They said the capital prepared to activate its flood control response on Tuesday morning.

Beijing expects significant rainfall from Tuesday until Thursday. Officials warn of flash floods within the city itself. Landslides could occur in surrounding mountainous areas too. The government directives force residents to take shelter and limit movement. Regulations restrict travel as officials manage the rising danger levels. Limited access to safe zones remains a major concern for families trapped by the deluge.