FUZHOU, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – As severe weather conditions swept across eastern China, approximately 167,900 residents in Fujian Province were compelled to evacuate their homes from vulnerable zones. The provincial authorities finalized these evacuations by 7 a.m. Monday, relocating communities along the coast and inland threatened by flooding and strong winds. Meanwhile, Shanghai evacuated around 215,600 residents from high-risk areas by late Sunday. After initially making landfall in Zhejiang Province, Dolphin moved inland and weakened over central China.
Travel disruptions across Fujian included the suspension of 686 passenger routes and 658 train services. Additionally, 234 major tourist attractions were shut down, and numerous cultural and tourism events were canceled. The transportation network in Shanghai faced significant challenges, with more than 900 flights canceled at its two main airports on Monday. Heavy rainfall persisted across the Yangtze River Delta and neighboring coastal regions, leading to flooding in several parts of the city and hindering public transit.
Dolphin marked the 13th typhoon to impact China in 2026 and reached Zhejiang on Sunday with formidable wind speeds. The storm made landfall near Yuhuan in Taizhou at approximately 5:30 p.m., with recorded maximum winds near 42 meters per second, roughly 151 kilometers per hour. It then made a second landfall in Zhejiang before heading further inland. Its expansive circulation brought intense rainfall to Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, and surrounding regions.
Dolphin advances inland following coastal landfall
By 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dolphin had reached Huanggang in Hubei Province, weakening to tropical-storm strength. The National Meteorological Center maintained a blue typhoon warning as the system continued its west-northwest trajectory. Wind speeds near the storm’s center decreased to 18 meters per second, with a central pressure of 995 hectopascals. Moving at approximately 15 kilometers per hour, Dolphin’s rainbands continued to impact extensive areas beyond its initial landfall zone.
In response to shifting rainfall patterns, China intensified its flood control measures in central and northern regions. The Ministry of Water Resources issued a Level IV flood emergency response for Hubei, Henan, Hebei, and Shandong. Zhejiang maintained a Level III response due to ongoing flood risks in rivers and low-lying areas. National authorities allocated 120 million yuan to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi for rescue operations, temporary shelters, hazard mitigation, safety checks, and repairs of damaged homes.
Potential for heavy rainfall to affect additional regions
Forecasts from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday indicate that heavy rain could extend across eastern, central, and northern China. Areas including Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Shandong, and Hebei are expected to experience the worst impacts. Beijing and Tianjin are also likely to encounter periods of intense rainfall. Predicted totals in parts of southwestern Shandong and central and eastern Henan could reach between 250 and 350 millimeters. Alongside the rainfall, strong winds persisted along the eastern coast, adjacent seas, the Yangtze River estuary, and Hangzhou Bay.
Monitoring of rivers, mountainous districts, and low-lying communities continued as Dolphin moved further inland. The 167,900 evacuations reported specifically apply to Fujian Province and do not encompass the total number of affected residents in eastern China. Shanghai alone reported over 215,000 precautionary relocations, with Zhejiang also moving many residents before the storm’s landfall. By Tuesday morning, Dolphin had significantly weakened along the coast, yet its remaining circulation was still producing heavy rainfall across several central and eastern Chinese provinces.