Typhoon Dolphin’s Landfall Triggers Massive Evacuations and Flight Cancellations Across Eastern China

On August 9, 2026 the cyclone made landfall near Yuhuan in Zhejiang at about 5:30 p.m. local time. The National Meteorological Centre recorded sustained winds of 151 km/h, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane and issuing a red-alert, the highest level in China’s warning system. The storm was expected to move west-northwestward, weakening while bringing heavy rain to Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu through August 10.

Typhoon Dolphin bears down on China, forcing mass evacuations and flight cancellations

Authorities moved roughly 1 million people to safety across the eastern coast. Reported figures vary: Zhejiang’s Taizhou relocated about 390,000 residents; Wenzhou opened more than 1,000 shelters for over 900,000 evacuees; Shanghai relocated between 30,000 and 103,000 people; Fujian moved 98,900 residents.

Typhoon Dolphin bears down on China, forcing mass evacuations and flight cancellations

Air travel was severely disrupted. CCTV said Shanghai’s Hongqiao and Pudong airports cancelled nearly 1,400 flights; VariFlight recorded about 1,500 cancellations in Shanghai and 270 at Hangzhou airport. Some outlets reported totals exceeding 1,600 flights.

Global Times

Maritime operations were also halted. More than 200 ferry routes in Zhejiang and Fujian were suspended, including 55 in Fujian. All 115 offshore construction projects were stopped, with 474 vessels ordered to port in Zhejiang and 290 moved to sheltered waters in Fujian. Shanghai’s Yangshan port cleared ships and sheltered over 500 small-medium vessels.

Typhoon Dolphin bears down on China, forcing mass evacuations and flight cancellations

The red-alert triggered Level III emergency responses in Zhejiang, Shanghai and Fujian, and a Level I response in Zhejiang’s Xiangshan County. Officials ordered offshore workers to safety, recalled vessels, and intensified monitoring of reservoirs, mountain streams, landslide-prone zones and tourist sites. Zhejiang suspended all port operations and passenger ferry services, while Shanghai set up 378 temporary shelters and prepared to relocate over 100,000 residents. The Ministry of Water Resources warned that the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao and Shuiyang rivers could experience major flooding.

Nikkei Asian ReviewTyphoon Dolphin bears down on China, forcing mass evacuations and flight cancellations Red alert, evacuations from China's eastern coast as Typhoon Dolphin barrels down Global TimesTyphoon Dolphin hits eastern China after mass evacuations, 1,300 flight cancellations France 24Al Jazeera (website)

• Flight cancellations: CCTV cited “nearly 1,400” Shanghai flights; VariFlight reported “about 1,500”; other sources mentioned “more than 1,600.”

Global Times

• Evacuation totals: The NMC gave a round figure of “about 1 million”; Zhejiang’s local reports focused on 390,000 in Taizhou, while Wenzhou’s data suggest 900,000+ relocated. Shanghai’s numbers range from 30,000 to 103,000.

Red alert, evacuations from China's eastern coast as Typhoon Dolphin barrels down

• Rainfall forecasts: Some forecasts projected 250–500 mm in central/eastern Zhejiang, whereas other agencies cited 200–400 mm for the broader region.

Typhoon Dolphin bears down on China, forcing mass evacuations and flight cancellations

These discrepancies reflect differing reporting windows and the rapid evolution of the storm’s impact.

Typhoon Dolphin Makes Landfall in China After Mass Flight Cancellations and Evacuations

In Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, the storm injured six to seven people and left more than 5,200 households without electricity. Northern Taiwan experienced heavy rain, prompting the suspension of dozens of ferry services and the cancellation of over 180 flights.

Al Jazeera (website)

The combination of extreme winds, heavy rainfall and widespread evacuations raises the risk of flooding and landslides across densely populated coastal regions. Disruption of air, sea and rail transport hampers relief efforts and economic activity, highlighting the vulnerability of eastern China’s coastal communities to intense tropical cyclones.

Typhoon Dolphin Makes Landfall in China After Mass Flight Cancellations and Evacuations

• “To us Guangdong people, this typhoon is as ordinary as having a meal and feeling the wind. It's just part of everyday life,” — Chen

Nikkei Asian Review