Typhoon Dolphin: China Evacuates Over 1 Million as Powerful Storm Hits

Chinese authorities evacuated more than one million residents from eastern China, including the financial hub of Shanghai, as Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on Sunday, bringing destructive winds, heavy rain and widespread flooding to the region.

Strongest Typhoon to Hit China This Year

Typhoon Dolphin first struck Yuhuan in Zhejiang province at 17:30 local time (09:30 GMT) on Sunday, before making a second landfall near Wenzhou about an hour later. At the time of landfall it packed maximum sustained wind speeds of 150 km/h (94 mph), making it the strongest storm to hit China in 2026.

Chinese authorities had issued their highest-level red alert for Dolphin before downgrading it to a tropical storm on Monday. Despite the downgrade, warnings of torrential rains, severe flooding and landslide risk remain in effect through Wednesday as the storm moves northward.

Flights, Attractions and Transport Disrupted

Nearly 1,000 flights were cancelled in Shanghai alone. Several major tourist attractions closed, including parts of Disneyland and Legoland, as well as viewing platforms along the Bund. State media showed ground-floor businesses flooded in Shanghai's former French Concession district, with people wading through ankle-deep water.

Parts of Zhejiang province could receive between 250 mm and 500 mm of rain over the coming days. Wenzhou authorities relocated around 900,000 residents and opened more than 1,000 emergency shelters. Hangzhou waived parking fees in public spaces for drivers seeking refuge from the storm. A nine-year-old boy from Wenling went missing after being swept into the sea; no casualties have been officially reported by Chinese authorities.

Heavy Rain Spreading North

As the storm moved inland, heavy rainfall was forecast for the provinces of Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Anhui and Jiangsu, in addition to Zhejiang and Shanghai. Authorities urged people across the affected region to avoid outdoor activities.