Typhoon Dolphin Forces Mass Evacuations and Flight Cancellations in Eastern China

China is on high alert as Typhoon Dolphin approaches its eastern coast, prompting the cancellation of over 1,600 flights and the evacuation of approximately 500,000 residents. The National Meteorological Center has issued a red typhoon alert, indicating the severity of the situation, with the storm expected to make landfall overnight on Sunday.

Authorities have undertaken extensive measures in anticipation of the storm's impact. In Shanghai, both Hongqiao and Pudong airports have canceled nearly 1,400 flights. Zhejiang province's Hangzhou airport saw 270 cancellations, reflecting the widespread disruptions in air travel. Concurrently, local governments have evacuated thousands from vulnerable areas, with 390,000 individuals moved in Taizhou alone and over 30,000 in Shanghai.

The typhoon's trajectory suggests it will bring heavy rainfall and winds up to 162 km/h to the densely populated coastal regions, including Zhejiang, Shanghai, Fujian, Jiangxi, and Anhui provinces. Forecasts predict extraordinary torrential rains, exacerbating the risk of floods and landslides. The storm's outer bands have already affected Taiwan, causing significant flight disruptions and power outages, emphasizing the widespread impact of Typhoon Dolphin in the region.