Typhoon Dolphin hits China, more than one million evacuated

Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit China this year, made landfall on the country’s eastern coast on Sunday, bringing torrential rain and strong winds and prompting the evacuation of more than one million people.

The typhoon made landfall near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province at about 5.30pm local time, according to China’s meteorological authorities. It had maximum sustained winds of 42 metres per second, or 151km/h, near its centre.

Authorities issued warnings of flooding and landslides as the storm moved inland, with forecasters predicting heavy rain across Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and much of Jiangsu.

Parts of central and eastern Zhejiang were expected to receive between 250mm and 500mm of rain.

The storm had already disrupted transport across eastern China, with about 1,500 flights cancelled in Shanghai. At least 30,300 people were evacuated in the city, while more than 900,000 residents were relocated in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province.

More than 1,000 emergency shelters were opened in Wenzhou as authorities intensified preparations for flooding and landslides.

In Fujian province, 98,900 people were evacuated from high-risk areas after authorities raised the typhoon emergency response to Level III. Zhejiang, Shanghai and Jiangsu also activated Level III emergency responses.

Authorities ordered offshore workers to safety, recalled vessels to port and stepped up inspections of reservoirs, mountain streams, landslide-prone areas, construction sites and tourist locations.

The Ministry of Water Resources warned that the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao and Shuiyang rivers could experience major flooding, while smaller rivers in the worst-hit areas could rise above warning levels.

Forecasters said Dolphin would track westwards after landfall before slowing over central and southwestern China and gradually weakening. However, the slower movement could prolong heavy rainfall and increase the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas and along smaller rivers.

In Shanghai, the Yangshan port cleared ships from its berths and moved more than 500 small and medium-sized vessels to sheltered waters as a precaution.

The typhoon had earlier passed through Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture, where six people were injured and more than 50,000 buildings were left without power.