FUZHOU, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – In eastern China, severe weather caused approximately 167,900 residents to evacuate vulnerable areas in Fujian Province, with authorities completing the evacuations by 7 a.m. Monday. These included coastal and inland communities threatened by flooding and strong winds. Meanwhile, Shanghai relocated around 215,600 residents from high-risk zones by late Sunday. Before moving inland and weakening over central China, Dolphin impacted Zhejiang Province with its force.
Due to the storm’s disruption, Fujian officials halted 686 passenger routes and 658 train services, affecting travel within the province. Additionally, 234 major tourist spots were closed, and numerous cultural and tourism events were canceled. The transport network in Shanghai experienced significant disturbances, with over 900 flights canceled at its two main airports on Monday. Heavy rain caused flooding in several parts of the city and interrupted public transit, as the Yangtze River Delta and adjacent coastal regions saw persistent rainfall.
Dolphin became the 13th typhoon to influence China in 2026, reaching Zhejiang on Sunday with formidable winds. The storm made landfall near Yuhuan in Taizhou at approximately 5:30 p.m., with local measurements indicating maximum winds near 42 meters per second, equivalent to roughly 151 kilometers per hour. Dolphin subsequently made another landfall in Zhejiang before progressing further inland, its extensive circulation bringing heavy rainfall to Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, and neighboring provinces.
Dolphin shifts inland following coastal impact
By 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dolphin had reached Huanggang in Hubei Province and diminished to tropical-storm strength. The National Meteorological Center maintained a blue typhoon warning as the system continued its northwestward movement. Maximum winds near the storm’s center decreased to 18 meters per second, with central pressure at 995 hectopascals. Moving at about 15 kilometers per hour, Dolphin’s rainbands persisted in impacting large regions beyond the initial landfall area.
Rainfall shifted toward central and northern regions, prompting China to intensify its flood response. The Ministry of Water Resources declared a Level IV flood emergency for Hubei, Henan, Hebei, and Shandong. Zhejiang maintained a Level III alert due to ongoing river and flood risks. Central authorities allocated 120 million yuan to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi for rescue efforts, temporary shelters, hazard mitigation, safety checks, and repairs to damaged homes.
Intense rainfall and wind continue across multiple regions
Forecasts from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday predict heavy rain extending across eastern, central, and northern China. Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Shandong, and Hebei remain among the affected areas. Beijing and Tianjin are also experiencing periods of heavy rainfall. Predicted totals range from 250 to 350 millimeters in parts of southwestern Shandong and central and eastern Henan. The eastern coast, adjacent seas, the Yangtze River estuary, and Hangzhou Bay continue 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 167,900 evacuations reported are specific to Fujian Province and do not represent the total for eastern China. Shanghai reported over 215,000 precautionary relocations, with Zhejiang also evacuating large numbers of residents prior to landfall. Although Dolphin had significantly weakened its coastal strength by Tuesday morning, its residual circulation still caused heavy rainfall across multiple provinces in central and eastern China.