Typhoon Dolphin is tracking toward China’s eastern coast with sustained winds reaching 162 kilometers per hour (101 mph), prompting authorities to initiate emergency flood and landslide responses across Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Fujian provinces. According to China’s National Meteorological Centre, the storm is expected to make landfall between Sunday evening and Monday, bringing up to 500 mm of rainfall to parts of the region.
Emergency Response Measures Across Eastern China
Regional authorities have implemented a multi-tiered emergency response system to mitigate the impact of the storm. The Ministry of Emergency Management has deployed specialized teams to Zhejiang and Fujian to oversee safety operations. According to the National Meteorological Centre, the storm’s intensity is comparable to a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which typically causes extensive damage to infrastructure and vegetation.
In response to the forecast, the Chinese government has maintained a Level III flood emergency response in Zhejiang and Fujian, with Level IV responses active in Jiangsu and Anhui. The Natural Resources Ministry has issued a Level III geological-disaster alert for Zhejiang, citing the high risk of landslides in mountainous areas as the storm moves inland.
Did you know?
China utilizes a four-level emergency management system to coordinate disaster response, where Level I represents the most severe classification and Level IV the least.
Impact on Maritime and Infrastructure Operations
Major logistical hubs are already adjusting operations to avoid the storm’s path. Shanghai’s Yangshan port has cleared its berths and moved more than 500 small and medium-sized vessels to secure locations, as reported by the city’s maritime safety administration. Authorities have also intensified inspections of reservoirs, construction sites, and tourist locations to prevent potential casualties.
Before reaching China, the typhoon traversed Japan’s Okinawa prefecture. According to reports, the storm resulted in six injuries and disrupted power for over 50,000 buildings. Infrastructure managers in China are now focusing on the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao, and Shuiyang rivers, which the Ministry of Water Resources warns could reach major flood stages.
Forecasting the Storm’s Inland Trajectory
Wang Haiping, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Centre, told state broadcaster CCTV that the storm is expected to track westward after making landfall. The primary concern for local officials is the expected slowing of the system as it moves over central and southwestern China. This deceleration is likely to prolong heavy rainfall, significantly increasing the risk of flash flooding in smaller river basins and mountainous terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the severity of a typhoon measured in China?
China uses a four-level emergency response system. Level I is the most severe designation, requiring the highest level of coordination, while Level IV is the lowest.
Which regions are at the highest risk for flooding?
According to the National Meteorological Centre, the most significant rainfall—between 250 and 500 mm—is expected across Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and much of Jiangsu.
What should residents in affected areas do?
Residents in areas under red mountain-torrent warnings are advised by local authorities to follow all official evacuation orders immediately to ensure their safety.
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