Typhoon Dolphin is expected to make landfall on China’s east coast on Sunday night, bringing torrential rain and strong winds as authorities prepare for flooding and landslides across parts of eastern China.
The storm is forecast to reach the coast between Sunday evening and Monday, with sustained winds of up to 162 kilometres per hour before weakening as it moves inland, according to China’s National Meteorological Centre.
Heavy rain is expected through 10 August across Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and much of Jiangsu. Central and eastern Zhejiang could receive between 250 and 500 millimetres of rain.
The prolonged rainfall is expected to increase the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas and along smaller rivers. Authorities said the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao and Shuiyang rivers could see major flooding, while smaller rivers in the hardest-hit areas could rise above warning levels.
Reuters reported that China has maintained a Level III flood emergency response in Zhejiang and Fujian, and Level IV responses in Jiangsu and Anhui. Level I is the highest of the country’s four emergency levels.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has also activated a Level III geological disaster response in Zhejiang and Level IV in Anhui, warning of landslides and other hazards. Residents in areas under red mountain torrent warnings have been urged to follow local evacuation orders.
Authorities have stepped up preparations ahead of the storm. Offshore workers have been moved to safety, vessels have been ordered back to port, and inspections have been increased at reservoirs, mountain streams, construction sites and landslide-prone areas.
In Shanghai, the Yangshan port cleared vessels from its berths and moved more than 500 small and medium-sized ships to sheltered locations.
Dolphin had already swept through Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture, where six people were injured, and more than 50,000 buildings were left without power.
After making landfall in China, the typhoon is expected to move west before slowing over central and southwestern parts of the country. Its slower movement could prolong heavy rainfall and further increase the risk of flooding and landslides.
