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In a dramatic turn of events, Typhoon Dolphin, the most potent storm to impact China this year, made landfall over the weekend, prompting the evacuation of over a million residents in eastern regions. The storm struck near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province, unleashing sustained winds of 150 km/h, reminiscent of a category one hurricane. While authorities reported no fatalities, concerns grew as a nine-year-old boy was reported missing after being swept away by the turbulent sea.
Typhoon’s Path and Impact
Typhoon Dolphin approached the Chinese coastline at approximately 5:30 PM local time on Sunday, subsequently making a second landfall in Wenzhou, a bustling city with a population of nine million, about an hour later. The National Meteorological Centre had previously issued a red alert, the highest level of warning, but later downgraded it to a tropical storm by Monday morning.
The storm’s impact was felt across central and eastern Zhejiang, with forecasts predicting rainfall accumulation between 250 mm and 500 mm—nearly equivalent to a full year’s precipitation in London at the upper end. In response, Wenzhou authorities relocated more than 900,000 residents and established over 1,000 emergency shelters to accommodate those displaced. Other cities, such as Taizhou, evacuated around 390,000 individuals, while Fujian province moved approximately 98,900 people from high-risk areas. Shanghai also initiated evacuations, with at least 30,300 residents relocated.
Transportation Disruptions and Precautionary Measures
The storm’s ferocity disrupted air travel significantly, leading to the cancellation of nearly 1,500 flights at Shanghai’s two primary airports, alongside an additional 270 cancellations in Hangzhou. Train services across the region were suspended, and the Yangshan port took precautionary measures by relocating over 500 smaller vessels to safer waters.
In Hangzhou, the provincial capital, authorities enacted measures to facilitate safe vehicle relocation, such as waiving parking fees in public spaces. Popular tourist attractions like West Lake were temporarily closed, and local docks and sightseeing boats were secured in anticipation of worsening weather conditions. Meanwhile, maritime authorities in Fujian halted 55 coastal ferry routes, suspended all offshore construction projects, and moved 290 construction vessels to sheltered areas.
Forecast and Continuing Threats
As the storm progressed, heavy rainfall was expected to extend northward, with torrential downpours anticipated across Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, reaching as far as Tianjin and Beijing. The Ministry of Water Resources issued warnings regarding potential flooding of the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao, and Shuiyang rivers. Residents in certain mountainous areas of Zhejiang were urged to heed local evacuation orders due to heightened risk of debris flows.
While official reports indicated no casualties, state media highlighted the case of a nine-year-old boy from Wenling who remains unaccounted for after being swept into the ocean. In efforts to combat misinformation surrounding the storm, authorities detained two individuals accused of disseminating false narratives, including a man who allegedly used altered video footage to mislead the public.
Regional Effects and Climate Considerations
By Monday morning, Typhoon Dolphin had crossed into Japan’s southern islands, resulting in injuries to seven individuals in Okinawa and leaving over 50,000 properties without power. Among those affected was a centenarian who suffered a head injury from a gust of wind. Additionally, the storm brought heavy rain to the Philippines and northern Taiwan.
Interestingly, the presence of Dolphin influenced temperatures hundreds of miles to the south. Hong Kong recorded a remarkable high of 36.9°C, marking the highest temperature registered at the city’s observatory since records began in 1884. This surpasses the previous record of 36.6°C set in August 2017, shortly before Typhoon Hato made landfall.
Typhoon Dolphin’s extraordinary journey spanned approximately 6,000 km, giving it a lifespan more than three times that of the average typhoon. This anomaly reflects the growing trend of increasingly powerful storms, a phenomenon attributed to climate change.
Why it Matters
The significance of Typhoon Dolphin’s impact extends beyond immediate weather concerns. As climate change continues to exacerbate the intensity and frequency of such natural disasters, the need for robust preparedness and adaptive measures becomes ever more critical. The potential for loss of life, property damage, and long-term environmental consequences underscores the urgency for policymakers and communities to address the challenges posed by an unpredictable climate. The convergence of human vulnerability and environmental change illustrates an urgent call for action, demanding global cooperation and innovative solutions to safeguard our future.
