FUZHOU, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – Severe weather caused by Typhoon Dolphin led to the evacuation of approximately 167,900 individuals from vulnerable zones in Fujian Province as the storm expanded across eastern China. By 7 a.m. Monday, authorities had completed evacuations in Fujian, moving residents from coastal and inland areas susceptible to flooding and strong winds. Separately, Shanghai relocated around 215,600 residents from high-risk locations by late Sunday. The storm initially struck neighboring Zhejiang Province before pushing inland and weakening over central China.
Travel disruptions across Fujian included the suspension of 686 passenger routes and 658 train services, as the storm disrupted transportation networks. Authorities also shut down 234 major tourist sites and canceled numerous cultural and tourism events. The city of Shanghai experienced significant transportation interruptions, with over 900 flights canceled at its two primary airports on Monday. Floodwaters affected multiple districts, and public transit was interrupted amid persistent heavy rainfall across the Yangtze River Delta and adjacent coastal regions.
Dolphin marked the 13th typhoon to impact China in 2026, reaching Zhejiang on Sunday with intense winds. The storm made landfall near Yuhuan in Taizhou around 5:30 p.m., with local measurements indicating maximum winds of approximately 42 meters per second, equivalent to about 151 kilometers per hour. After making another landfall in Zhejiang, the storm moved further inland. Its broad circulation transported heavy rainfall into Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, and surrounding provinces.
Dolphin advances inland following coastal impact
By 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dolphin had reached Huanggang in Hubei Province and weakened to tropical-storm strength. The National Meteorological Center maintained a blue typhoon warning as the system continued moving west-northwest. The maximum winds near the storm’s center decreased to 18 meters per second, with the central pressure recorded at 995 hectopascals. Moving at roughly 15 kilometers per hour, Dolphin’s rainbands continued to affect large areas beyond its initial landfall zone.
In response to shifting rainfall patterns, China intensified 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, Zhejiang maintained a Level III response due to ongoing river and flood risks. Additionally, authorities allocated 120 million yuan to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi for rescue efforts, temporary shelters, hazard mitigation, safety inspections, and repairs of damaged homes.
Widespread heavy rain forecasted across multiple regions
Forecasts from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday predicted extensive heavy rainfall across eastern, central, and northern China. Areas such as Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Shandong, and Hebei were among the zones expected to experience significant precipitation. Beijing and Tianjin also faced periods of intense rain, with totals reaching between 250 and 350 millimeters in parts of southwestern Shandong and central and eastern Henan. The eastern coast, including the Yangtze River estuary and Hangzhou Bay, continued to be affected by strong winds.
Authorities kept a close watch on rivers, mountainous districts, and low-lying communities as Dolphin moved further inland. The reported evacuation figure of 167,900 applies specifically to Fujian Province and does not encompass the entire eastern China region. Shanghai reported more than 215,000 precautionary relocations, with Zhejiang also relocating substantial numbers of residents before landfall. By Tuesday morning, Dolphin had lost much of its coastal strength, yet its residual circulation persisted in producing heavy rainfall across several provinces in central and eastern China.