Typhoon Dolphin Approaches China: Over 1,300 Flights Canceled and 420,000 Evacuated
The storm is expected to hit the Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. Authorities are warning of floods and landslides and have evacuated hundreds of thousands of residents from risk areas.
Typhoon Dolphin, which brought heavy rains to northern Taiwan, is making its way toward China: more than 1,300 flights were canceled at Shanghai's two airports, and authorities have evacuated hundreds of thousands of people from areas at risk.
The storm's maximum sustained winds were estimated on Sunday morning at approximately 162 km/h. The storm is bringing heavy rains, creating a danger of severe flooding, mudslides, and landslides. According to forecasts, it is expected to reach Zhejiang province and the northern parts of neighboring Fujian province in the evening hours.
Forecasters in China predict that in some areas, between 200 and 400 millimeters of rain will fall over the coming days. Authorities in Zhejiang have warned of a significant danger of landslides.
Hundreds of thousands evacuated
On Saturday evening, authorities in Zhejiang evacuated about 390,000 people in the city of Taizhou. In Shanghai, more than 30,000 people were evacuated from areas considered dangerous. At Shanghai's two airports — Hongqiao and Pudong — about 60% of flights scheduled for Sunday were canceled, according to the state-run media outlet "The Paper" in Shanghai.
Taiwanese airlines also canceled some of their flights to China on Sunday. The outer bands of the storm hit northern Taiwan on Saturday, including the capital Taipei, bringing heavy rain.
In Zhejiang province, authorities have suspended all maritime activities, including ferry services and cruises.
