FUZHOU, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – As severe weather conditions swept across eastern China, Typhoon Dolphin compelled approximately 167,900 residents to evacuate vulnerable zones in Fujian Province. The authorities finalized the evacuations in Fujian by 7 a.m. Monday, targeting coastal and inland communities at risk of flooding and strong winds. In a separate effort, Shanghai relocated around 215,600 inhabitants from high-risk areas by late Sunday. Dolphin initially impacted neighboring Zhejiang Province before advancing inland and weakening over central China.
Due to the storm, Fujian officials halted 686 passenger routes and 658 train services, disrupting travel throughout the region. The storm also led to the closure of 234 major tourist sites and the cancellation of numerous cultural and tourism events. Transportation in Shanghai faced significant disruptions, with more than 900 flights canceled at its two primary airports on Monday. Heavy rainfall caused flooding in various city sections and interrupted public transit as the Yangtze River Delta and adjacent coastal areas continued to be affected.
Dolphin became the 13th typhoon to impact China in 2026 and reached Zhejiang on Sunday with powerful gusts. The storm made landfall near Yuhuan in Taizhou at approximately 5:30 p.m. Local data indicated maximum winds close to 42 meters per second, roughly 151 kilometers per hour. Subsequently, Dolphin made another landfall in Zhejiang before moving further inland. Its extensive circulation brought intense rainfall into Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, and nearby provinces.
Dolphin advances inland after coastal impact
By 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dolphin had reached Huanggang in Hubei Province, weakening to tropical-storm strength. The National Meteorological Center maintained a blue typhoon warning as the system continued heading west-northwest. Wind speeds near the storm’s center had decreased to 18 meters per second, with a central pressure of 995 hectopascals. Moving at approximately 15 kilometers per hour, Dolphin’s rain bands persisted in affecting large areas beyond the initial landfall zone.
In response to the shifting rainfall, China escalated its flood control measures in central and northern regions. The Ministry of Water Resources activated a Level IV flood emergency response for Hubei, Henan, Hebei, and Shandong. Meanwhile, a Level III alert remained in place in Zhejiang due to ongoing river and flood risks. Central authorities allocated 120 million yuan to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi for rescue operations, emergency shelters, hazard mitigation, safety inspections, and repairs to damaged residences.
Impacts of heavy rainfall extend across multiple regions
Forecasts from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday indicated that heavy rain would continue across eastern, central, and northern China. Areas including Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Shandong, and Hebei were expected to be affected. Additionally, Beijing and Tianjin faced periods of intense rainfall. Predicted totals ranged from 250 to 350 millimeters in parts of southwestern Shandong and central and eastern Henan. Strong winds persisted along the eastern coast, near seas, the Yangtze River estuary, and Hangzhou Bay.
Authorities continued monitoring river levels, mountain districts, and low-lying communities as Dolphin moved further inland. The reported 167,900 evacuations pertain solely to Fujian Province and do not encompass the total evacuations across eastern China. Shanghai reported more than 215,000 precautionary relocations, with Zhejiang also moving large groups of residents prior to landfall. Although Dolphin had diminished much of its coastal strength by Tuesday morning, its residual circulation continued producing heavy rainfall across several provinces in central and eastern China.