Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on China’s eastern coast, forcing the evacuation of more than one million people and causing widespread disruption to flights, ports and ferry services.

The storm crossed the coast near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province with sustained winds of approximately 151 kilometres per hour. Chinese authorities described it as the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit the country this year.

Parts of central and eastern Zhejiang were forecast to receive between 250 mm and 500 mm of rainfall, increasing the risk of flash floods, river flooding and landslides.

Shanghai Flights and Port Operations Disrupted

Around 1,500 flights were reportedly cancelled in Shanghai. Authorities also evacuated at least 30,300 people from the city.

Shanghai’s Yangshan port cleared vessels from its berths, while more than 500 small and medium-sized boats were moved to safer locations.

Wenzhou in Zhejiang relocated more than 900,000 residents and opened over 1,000 emergency shelters. Nearly 99,000 people were also evacuated from high-risk areas in Fujian province.

Authorities suspended dozens of coastal ferry routes and halted offshore construction projects.

Storm Previously Hit Okinawa

Before reaching China, Dolphin passed through Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, where six people were injured and more than 50,000 buildings lost electricity.

Although the typhoon is expected to weaken while moving inland, its slower movement could produce prolonged rainfall. Residents in flood-prone and mountainous areas have been asked to follow local evacuation instructions.