Nearly 420,000 people relocated in Shanghai and Zhejiang as powerful storm approaches China’s east coast
Beijing: Chinese authorities have cancelled more than 1,300 flights in Shanghai and evacuated hundreds of thousands of residents as Typhoon Dolphin approaches the country’s eastern coastline, raising concerns over flooding, landslides and transport disruption.
The storm is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang province and northern parts of neighbouring Fujian province late Sunday, according to forecasters.
Typhoon Dolphin was packing sustained winds of around 162 km/h (101 mph) on Sunday morning and is forecast to bring torrential rain to large parts of eastern China over the coming days.
Authorities warned that some areas could receive between 200 mm and 400 mm of rainfall, increasing the risk of severe flooding and landslides, particularly in Zhejiang.
Shanghai’s two major airports, Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport, cancelled more than 1,300 flights, with local media reporting that roughly 60% of scheduled flights on Sunday were affected.
As a precaution, authorities in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, evacuated around 390,000 residents on Saturday evening, while officials in Shanghai relocated more than 30,000 people from high-risk areas.
In Zhejiang, authorities suspended all water-based transport and tourism activities, including ferry services and cruise operations, as the province prepared for the storm’s arrival.
Emergency services across eastern China remain on high alert as officials monitor Typhoon Dolphin’s path and brace for potential disruptions to transport, infrastructure and daily life.
