Shanghai airports were forced to cancel a significant number of flights due to tropical storm Dolphin unleashing heavy rainfall in eastern China, leading to flooding in various areas post-typhoon landfall. Hongqiao and Pudong airports in Shanghai canceled more than 900 flights, accounting for approximately 40% of scheduled flights, following the cancellation of around 1,300 flights the day prior, as reported by Shanghai Airport Group. Moreover, Shanghai suspended certain metro lines, and China Railway Chengdu Group ceased 115 trains, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Authorities raised concerns about severe flooding and landslides in specific regions. State broadcaster CCTV mentioned that rescue operations were underway in Yueqing, Zhejiang province, to assist individuals trapped in flooded residences. The China Meteorological Administration stated that Dolphin was moving northwest at a speed of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour and was anticipated to weaken progressively.
Dolphin made its landfall in Taizhou, Zhejiang province on Sunday evening, with wind speeds reaching 151 kilometers per hour, following heavy rain in northern Taiwan over the weekend. The storm’s impact was evident as powerful winds and heavy rain caused a truck to overturn in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, as depicted in a video shared on TikTok on Sunday.
The storm prompted over 760,000 evacuations, including over 390,000 individuals in Taizhou, while authorities in Shanghai and Fujian province evacuated more than 210,000 and 160,000 residents, respectively, from high-risk areas. In Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang, iconic scenic spots like West Lake were temporarily closed along with temples, parks, and museums, with plans to reopen on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, tropical storm Chan-hom was moving towards Japan’s Pacific coast, with winds of 83 kilometers per hour on Monday morning, expected to intensify slightly before making landfall between Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
In Shanghai, sections of Jiading and Qingpu districts remained submerged, with residents sharing live streams on social media showing individuals wading through knee-high water. A local resident, Hou Lina, expressed surprise at the widespread flooding caused by the typhoon, highlighting the inconvenience faced due to the unusual weather conditions.
Furthermore, Beijing was bracing for substantial rainfall as Dolphin, the most potent typhoon to hit China in the current year, was projected to move inland towards Hubei and Henan provinces, while also carrying moisture northward. Authorities in Beijing issued warnings for torrential rain and prepared to activate flood control measures. The impact of Dolphin was likened to the 2023 typhoon Doksuri, which caused havoc in southeastern Fujian province before deluging Beijing with record-breaking rainfall.
As Dolphin continued its trajectory, it was anticipated to bring heavy rain to Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, with risks of flash floods and landslides. The storm’s extensive reach and prolonged life cycle were noted, enveloping China’s eastern regions in an ultra-large cloud system. Additionally, Hong Kong experienced its hottest day on record, reaching 36.9 degrees Celsius, attributed to Dolphin’s impact.
Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) forecasted an exceptionally active northwest Pacific typhoon season for 2026, predicting 28 tropical storms, 20 typhoons, and 13 intense typhoons. The ongoing strong El Niño event, coupled with high activity and weakened trade winds in the northwest Pacific basin, were cited as primary factors contributing to the intensity of the typhoon season.
