China Evacuates Over One Million as Typhoon Dolphin Strikes with Torrential Rains and Flooding

Typhoon Dolphin’s Arrival and Immediate Impact

Typhoon Dolphin first struck the coastal city of Yuhuan in Zhejiang province at 17:30 local time on Sunday, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (94 mph). About an hour later, it made a second landfall in the city of Wenzhou, another key urban center in Zhejiang. The storm’s powerful winds and heavy rains caused immediate disruptions, including the cancellation of approximately 1,400 flights in Shanghai alone, one of China’s busiest transportation hubs.

Chinese meteorological authorities had issued their highest-level red alert ahead of the storm’s arrival, signaling the severity of the threat. By Monday morning, the storm had weakened to a tropical storm as it moved further inland. However, officials continued to warn residents about ongoing torrential rains, severe flooding, and the heightened risk of landslides, particularly in eastern provinces still grappling with the storm’s aftermath.

Evacuations and Emergency Measures Across Affected Regions

In anticipation of the storm’s destructive potential, Chinese authorities evacuated over one million people from vulnerable areas, including Shanghai and multiple cities within Zhejiang province. Wenzhou authorities relocated approximately 900,000 residents and opened more than 1,000 emergency shelters to provide safe refuge. Similarly, nearly 390,000 people were evacuated from Taizhou, another city in Zhejiang.

Local governments implemented additional measures to mitigate the storm’s impact. For instance, Hangzhou, the provincial capital of Zhejiang, waived parking fees in all public spaces to facilitate drivers seeking shelter from floodwaters and strong winds. In Fujian province, maritime authorities suspended dozens of passenger ferry routes and halted over 100 offshore construction projects to prevent accidents amid turbulent conditions. These coordinated efforts underscore the scale and seriousness of the emergency response.

Widespread Flooding and Infrastructure Disruptions

Heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Dolphin led to significant flooding in both urban and rural areas. In Shanghai, streets were inundated with ankle-deep water, especially in popular districts like the former French Concession, where ground-floor businesses experienced flooding. Several major tourist attractions, including parts of Shanghai Disneyland and Legoland, were closed as a precautionary measure to protect visitors and staff.

Meteorological forecasts indicate that some areas in Zhejiang province could receive between 250mm and 500mm of rain over the next few days. This intense rainfall increases the risk of landslides and exacerbates flooding concerns. Provinces such as Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, along with the city of Shanghai, remain under heavy rain advisories through Wednesday, with local governments urging residents to avoid outdoor activities and stay vigilant.

Human Toll and Safety Concerns

Although Chinese authorities have not officially reported casualties, concerns remain over missing individuals. State media reported that a nine-year-old boy from Wenling, Zhejiang province, went missing after being swept into the sea during the storm. The human impact of Typhoon Dolphin extends beyond China’s borders: in the Philippines, eight people have died due to heavy monsoon rains intensified by the typhoon, with over 7,000 individuals currently sheltering in evacuation centers nationwide.

In Okinawa, Japan, five elderly people sustained non-life-threatening injuries related to the storm’s strong winds, including falls caused by the turbulent weather. Meanwhile, Hong Kong recorded a record high temperature of 36.9°C on Sunday as Typhoon Dolphin pushed warm air over the region, illustrating the wide-ranging meteorological effects associated with the storm.

The Storm’s Unusual Characteristics and Broader Context

Typhoon Dolphin is notable for its exceptional lifespan and scale. It traveled over 6,000 kilometers before making landfall in China, a distance more than three times that of an average typhoon, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV. The storm also exhibited a massive circulation size and intense rainfall capacity, factors that contributed to its destructive potential across multiple countries.

Experts link this season’s intense typhoons to a strong El Niño phenomenon, which tends to increase both the frequency and intensity of storms in the western Pacific. Typhoon season typically spans from May to October, but this year’s El Niño conditions have heightened concerns about the severity and longevity of storms, posing increased risks to vulnerable populations and infrastructure throughout the region.

Challenges of Misinformation During the Storm

Alongside the physical dangers posed by Typhoon Dolphin, authorities faced challenges managing misinformation circulating online. State media reported that two individuals were detained for distributing misleading content related to the storm. One was a 60-year-old man who created an AI-generated fake video falsely depicting a person falling from a building in Shanghai during the typhoon. Another individual, aged 32, re-edited storm footage in a misleading manner, potentially causing public panic.

These incidents highlight the risks misinformation poses during emergencies, as false reports can divert attention from official safety instructions and exacerbate anxiety. Effective communication and the rapid correction of false information are critical components in ensuring public safety and maintaining trust during natural disasters.

What this means

Typhoon Dolphin’s arrival in eastern China serves as a stark reminder of the growing challenges posed by severe weather events intensified by climate variability. The rapid and large-scale evacuations, combined with extensive emergency measures, reflect the seriousness with which authorities are responding to such threats. However, the storm’s aftermath also emphasizes the need for continued vigilance, infrastructure resilience, and effective communication strategies to protect lives and property. As climate patterns evolve, preparedness for increasingly intense typhoons will remain a critical priority for governments and communities across the western Pacific region.