BEIJING: China’s eastern coast was placed on its highest typhoon alert Sunday as Typhoon Dolphin approached, prompting mass evacuations, flight cancellations and the suspension of ferry, rail and offshore operations.
Nearly 1,400 flights at Shanghai’s two main passenger airports were cancelled on Sunday, while another 270 inbound and outbound flights were cancelled at Hangzhou airport in neighbouring Zhejiang province, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
The typhoon, which brought heavy rain and strong winds to Japan’s Okinawa in recent days, was expected to make landfall late Sunday or early Monday in Zhejiang or neighbouring Fujian province.
How Is China Preparing for the Storm?
China’s National Meteorological Centre issued a red typhoon alert, its highest warning level, on Sunday morning and forecast exceptionally heavy rainfall in parts of central and eastern Zhejiang.
Heavy rain was also expected in Shanghai, Fujian, Anhui and Jiangsu through Monday afternoon. Authorities warned of possible flooding and other weather-related hazards as the storm moves inland.
In Fujian, nearly 99,000 people had been relocated from high-risk areas by Saturday evening, state news agency Xinhua reported.
More than 200 ferry routes in Zhejiang and Fujian were suspended, while offshore operations were halted and 474 construction vessels were ordered back to port.
Some train services in affected areas were also suspended on Sunday to protect passengers.
What Impact Has Dolphin Had Across the Region?
Typhoon Dolphin has already disrupted transport in Taiwan and Japan.
In Taiwan, dozens of ferry services were suspended and more than 180 flights cancelled as heavy rain and strong winds affected the island’s north.
In Japan’s Okinawa region, the storm caused minor injuries to seven people and left 5,290 households without electricity by Sunday afternoon, according to regional authorities.
The typhoon is expected to weaken after making landfall as it moves northwest across eastern China.
Typhoon Dolphin arrives in China about two weeks after Typhoon Noul struck southern Guangdong province. Authorities had described Noul as the strongest typhoon to hit China this year at the time.