Typhoon Dolphin: Over 10 Lakh Evacuated in Eastern China, 1,400 Flights Cancelled

Mass Evacuations as Typhoon Makes Landfall

Over 10 lakh people have been evacuated from coastal areas in eastern China as Typhoon Dolphin slammed into the region, bringing fierce winds and torrential rain. The storm, which made landfall on Monday, triggered one of the largest peacetime movements of people in the area in recent years.

Authorities in the affected provinces moved swiftly, shifting residents from low-lying and vulnerable zones to safer shelters. The scale of the evacuation underscores the severity of the threat posed by the cyclone, which has already disrupted daily life across a wide swath of the country.

Shanghai's Air Traffic Grounded

In Shanghai, the financial hub, aviation operations came to a standstill as 1,400 flights were cancelled. The city's two main airports, Pudong and Hongqiao, saw thousands of passengers left stranded as airlines suspended services ahead of the storm's arrival.

Rail services and road traffic were also suspended in several areas, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors. The suspension of traffic systems is part of a broader precautionary strategy to minimise casualties and damage as the typhoon moves inland.

Red Alert and Record-Setting Storm

China's meteorological department issued a red alert, the highest level in its four-tier warning system, as Typhoon Dolphin approached. The storm has been described as record-setting, with forecasters noting its unusual intensity and the speed at which it intensified over the Pacific.

The typhoon has been sweeping northward, triggering alerts across eastern and central China. Emergency response teams have been deployed, and disaster management officials are on high alert for potential flooding and landslides in the storm's path.

Weakening Storm, Persistent Risks

Reports indicate that Typhoon Dolphin has weakened since making landfall, but the danger is far from over. Heavy rain is expected to continue in several provinces, raising the risk of flash floods and waterlogging in urban and rural areas alike.

Local governments are monitoring river levels and reservoir capacities, with some areas already reporting overflowing waterways. The focus has now shifted to post-landfall recovery, though the full extent of the damage is yet to be assessed.

What to Watch

As the storm continues its northward journey, attention will turn to the recovery efforts in the hardest-hit regions. Authorities are expected to provide updates on casualties and infrastructure damage in the coming days, while residents begin the slow process of returning to normalcy.