Typhoon Dolphin Slams Eastern China, Disrupting Travel and Forcing Mass Evacuations

A powerful storm system has made landfall along

A powerful storm system has made landfall along China's heavily populated eastern seaboard, prompting a wave of emergency measures across the region. The meteorological agency confirmed the arrival of Typhoon Dolphin, which has already led to the cancellation of over a thousand flights and the evacuation of thousands of residents from vulnerable coastal areas.

Authorities issued a red alert, the highest level in the country's four-tier warning system, as the typhoon brought torrential rains and violent winds gusting up to 173 kilometers per hour. The storm touched down near the city of Wenzhou in Zhejiang province, a key economic hub, at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Air travel has been severely affected, with major airports in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Ningbo grounding flights as a precaution. Over 1,000 scheduled departures and arrivals were called off, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or scrambling to rebook their journeys. Railway operators also suspended some high-speed train services along the coast, and ferry routes were shut down in several ports.

In preparation for the storm's impact, local governments

In preparation for the storm's impact, local governments have moved swiftly to protect residents. More than 200,000 people have been relocated from low-lying districts and fishing villages, with emergency shelters set up in schools and community centers. Fishing boats have been recalled to harbor, and construction sites have been ordered to halt operations.

The typhoon's arrival comes just days after another tropical cyclone battered the same region, compounding the risk of flooding and landslides. Forecasters warn that Dolphin could dump up to 400 millimeters of rain in some areas, threatening to overwhelm rivers and reservoirs. Emergency response teams have been deployed with pumps and sandbags to reinforce flood defenses.

While the storm has weakened slightly since landfall, it is expected to move inland over the next 24 hours, bringing heavy rain to inland provinces. Authorities are urging residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, as the full impact of the typhoon may still unfold in the coming hours.