Full Breakdown
Typhoon Dolphin’s Landfall Triggers Massive Evacuations and Transport Disruptions in Eastern China
8/10/2026, 8:17:16 PM
Typhoon Dolphin Makes Landfall on China’s East Coast
On the evening of August 9, 2026, Typhoon Dolphin struck the Zhejiang province coastline near Yuhuan at 17:30 local time (09:30 GMT) with maximum sustained winds of 151 km/h (94 mph). An hour later it made a second landfall in Wenzhou. CCTV reported gusts up to 162 km/h (101 mph) before the system weakened to a tropical storm by early Monday.
Background & Context
Dolphin formed as a tropical depression on July 26 in the central Pacific, became a severe tropical storm on July 28, and reached typhoon strength before traveling more than 6,000 km to China, a path noted by the National Meteorological Centre (NMC).
Data & Statistics
- Evacuations: Over one million residents moved to safety; figures include 30,300–215,600 in Shanghai, 900,000 in Wenzhou, 390,000 in Taizhou, and about 99,000 in Fujian.
- Flight disruptions: Shanghai’s Pudong and Hongqiao airports canceled 1,300–1,600 flights on August 10, 2026, roughly 40 % of scheduled traffic. Hangzhou cancelled 270 flights; Ningbo suspended all flights on Sunday.
- Rainfall forecasts: 250–500 mm expected in central and eastern Zhejiang, with some models up to 600 mm. The Water Resources Ministry warned of major flooding in the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao and Shuiyang rivers.
- Emergency levels: Zhejiang and Fujian activated Level III flood-emergency responses; Shanghai and Jiangsu entered Level IV, with a red “mountain-torrent” warning for vulnerable districts.
Official Statements & Responses
The NMC issued a red typhoon alert—the highest level—on the morning of August 9, later downgrading the storm to a tropical storm on Monday. Chief forecaster Wang Haiping told CCTV that Dolphin would track westward, slow over central and southwestern China, and gradually lose strength, prolonging heavy rain and landslide risk in mountainous areas. The Ministry of Water Resources announced heightened flood-control measures for the Taihu Lake basin, and the Emergency Management Ministry dispatched response teams to Zhejiang and Fujian.
Criticism & Opposition
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council condemned Beijing’s directive that ships transiting the Taiwan Strait obey Chinese traffic-control instructions during the storm, calling the move “utterly ridiculous” and a breach of international norms.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents described flooding in Shanghai’s suburban districts, with streets turning into rivers. One shopper recounted wading through ankle-deep water in the former French Concession, while images showed overturned trucks in Wenzhou.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Wind speed: Sources list either 151 km/h (94 mph) or 162 km/h (101 mph).
- Shanghai evacuations: Reported figures range from 30,300 to 215,600.
- Flight cancellations: Totals vary between 1,300 and 1,600 flights.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The unreasonable and crude statement ?by the relevant Chinese Communist departments reflects an ignorance, disregard, and trampling of international order and norms. It is utterly ridiculous!” — Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council
- “I have lived in Shanghai for 10 years, and this is the first time I have experienced such inconvenience from a typhoon.” — Hou Lina, sales worker in Jiading, Shanghai
The impact of Typhoon Dolphin highlights the challenges of managing extreme weather in densely populated coastal regions, the strain on transportation networks, and the need for clear cross-border communication during crises.
