China has issued its highest-level typhoon warning as Typhoon Dolphin approaches the east coast, with authorities forecasting torrential rain, powerful winds and a heightened risk of flooding and other disasters across several regions.
The National Meteorological Centre (NMC) said Dolphin is expected to make landfall between Sanmen in Zhejiang province and Fuding in Fujian province from Sunday evening into the early hours of Monday.
NMC chief forecaster Wang Haiping said the red alert was warranted because of the storm’s intense rainfall, wide impact area and prolonged duration.
Heavy rain is forecast from Sunday to Wednesday across northern Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, eastern Hubei, central and eastern Henan, and southern Shandong. Parts of central and eastern Zhejiang and southern Anhui could see severe torrential rain.
The storm is also expected to bring strong winds to coastal areas and the East China Sea. From Sunday to Tuesday, winds of Force 9 to 12 are forecast across much of the East China Sea, Hangzhou Bay, coastal Zhejiang and the Yangtze River Estuary, with gusts reaching Force 11 to 14. Winds near the typhoon’s centre could reach Force 15 to 16.
The heavy rainfall is expected to increase the risk of mountain torrents, flash floods and geological disasters, particularly in Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan and Hebei. Some cities are also at risk of urban flooding.
Dolphin is forecast to move northwest and gradually weaken after making landfall. However, Wang warned that the storm’s effects would continue as it moves inland.
From Thursday to Sunday, heavy rain is expected to spread towards Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, as well as northern Shandong and Liaoning, with some areas facing severe torrential rain.
Amid the worsening weather threat, China’s meteorological authority has raised its emergency response for severe weather disasters from Level III to Level II.
