Shanghai cancels 1,300 flights as Typhoon Dolphin hits China's eastern coast

Typhoon Dolphin struck China’s eastern coast late Sunday, prompting the cancellation of over 1,300 flights in Shanghai and the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents. The storm made landfall near Taizhou in Zhejiang province and affected parts of northern Fujian province, bringing with it powerful winds and heavy rainfall. In its wake, authorities issued flood warnings and ordered the suspension of maritime operations in the region. The typhoon arrived on Sunday evening, hitting Taizhou with sustained wind speeds of approximately 93 miles per hour. Coastal areas saw large waves, while inland regions faced the threat of flash flooding and landslides. Officials in Zhejiang had already begun evacuating residents ahead of the storm’s arrival, moving nearly 390,000 people from Taizhou to safer locations. In Shanghai, more than 30,000 individuals were relocated from high-risk zones, particularly along the coast and in low-lying areas prone to inundation. Shanghai’s two major international airports, Hongqiao and Pudong, canceled roughly 60 percent of their scheduled flights for Sunday, according to local state media. This disruption significantly impacted travel plans for both domestic and international passengers. Additionally, several Taiwanese airlines canceled flights to mainland China due to the storm’s influence, which had earlier affected northern Taiwan on Saturday. Meteorological forecasts indicated that the typhoon would bring substantial rainfall to the region over the following days, with estimates ranging from 7.9 to 15.7 inches. These conditions raised concerns about prolonged flooding and potential damage to infrastructure. In response, emergency services remained on high alert, preparing for possible rescue operations and managing the distribution of supplies to affected communities. Before reaching China, Typhoon Dolphin had passed through the northern part of the Philippines, where it contributed to intensified monsoon rains. These rains caused widespread flooding in northern Luzon, particularly around the capital region of metropolitan Manila. Over 12,000 people were forced to leave their homes due to the rising waters, and several cities closed schools to ensure the safety of students and staff. In the Philippines, the typhoon followed another tropical storm that had already claimed at least six lives earlier in the week. Four of these fatalities occurred in the provinces of Benguet and Rizal due to landslides and rockslides triggered by previous weather events. Disaster-response officials confirmed these figures on Sunday, emphasizing the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather conditions in the region. Authorities in both China and the Philippines continue to monitor the situation closely, issuing regular updates to the public and coordinating relief efforts. Emergency management teams are working to restore normalcy in affected areas, while meteorologists track the movement of residual storm systems that could further impact coastal regions. The combined effects of Typhoon Dolphin and preceding weather patterns highlight the vulnerability of these areas to natural disasters during the rainy season.