In a dramatic turn of events, more than one million residents were forced to evacuate as Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful storm to hit China this year, made landfall over the weekend. The storm, which struck near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province, brought with it winds exceeding 150 km/h, prompting urgent warnings and comprehensive evacuation efforts across the region.
Typhoon Hits Land with Ferocity
Typhoon Dolphin made its initial landfall around 5:30 PM local time on Sunday, crossing the Zhejiang coastline with winds equivalent to a category one hurricane. Following its first impact, the storm swiftly moved to the city of Wenzhou, where authorities activated emergency protocols. The National Meteorological Centre initially issued a red alert—the highest level for typhoon warnings—but downgraded it to a tropical storm by Monday morning.
The storm’s aftermath is expected to bring torrential rainfall, with forecasts predicting between 250mm and 500mm across central and eastern Zhejiang. This amount is staggering, as it approaches the total annual rainfall for London at its highest estimate.
Mass Evacuations and Transport Disruptions
Wenzhou, a coastal city of nine million, saw the evacuation of over 900,000 residents, with more than 1,000 emergency shelters established to accommodate those displaced. Taizhou, a nearby city, evacuated approximately 390,000 individuals, while Fujian province moved nearly 99,000 residents from high-risk areas. Shanghai also reported the evacuation of over 30,000 people.
The storm’s impact on transport has been significant, with almost 1,500 flights cancelled at Shanghai’s two main airports, and an additional 270 flights grounded at Hangzhou. Train services in affected areas were suspended, and the Yangshan port took precautionary measures by moving more than 500 vessels to safety.
In Hangzhou, public authorities implemented parking fee waivers to encourage residents to relocate their vehicles away from potential flooding and wind damage. Meanwhile, popular attractions such as West Lake were closed to the public, with measures taken to protect trees and infrastructure from the storm’s wrath.
Heavy Rainfall and Flooding Threats
The heaviest downpours associated with Typhoon Dolphin are expected to shift northward, with torrential rain predicted to continue until Wednesday, affecting regions including Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Tianjin. The Ministry of Water Resources has issued warnings about potential flooding along major rivers, advising residents in high-alert zones to heed local evacuation orders.
Although authorities have reported no fatalities, some state media have indicated that a nine-year-old boy from Wenling is missing after being swept into the sea. In response to misinformation regarding the storm, two individuals have been detained, one accused of fabricating a video and another for misleading edits of existing footage.
Aftermath in Surrounding Regions
As the storm moved onwards, it crossed Japan’s southern islands, resulting in injuries to seven individuals in Okinawa and causing widespread power outages affecting over 50,000 properties. Among the injured is a centenarian who suffered a head injury after being knocked over by strong winds. The storm also triggered heavy rains in the Philippines and northern Taiwan.
Dolphin’s reach extended an impressive 6,000 km, marking a lifespan more than three times that of a typical typhoon. This vast circulation and longevity have raised concerns among scientists, who attribute the increasing severity of storms and extreme weather events to climate change.
Why it Matters
The intensity of Typhoon Dolphin underscores the growing threat posed by climate change, as evidenced by the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. With over a million lives disrupted and significant infrastructural damage anticipated, the implications are far-reaching. As communities grapple with the immediate aftermath, the need for robust disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies has never been more pressing. This storm serves as a stark reminder of the urgent action needed to address the challenges posed by our changing climate.