FUZHOU, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – As Typhoon Dolphin moved further inland across China, approximately 167,900 residents in Fujian Province were evacuated from vulnerable zones amid widespread severe weather conditions across eastern China. The evacuation efforts in Fujian concluded by 7 a.m. Monday, involving communities along the coast and inland areas susceptible to flooding and strong winds. Meanwhile, Shanghai relocated around 215,600 residents from areas considered high-risk by late Sunday. After impacting Zhejiang Province, Dolphin continued its inland progression, weakening as it moved through central China.
Travel disruptions in Fujian included the suspension of 686 passenger routes and 658 train services, as the storm hindered transportation within the province. In addition, authorities shut down 234 key tourist sites and canceled numerous cultural and tourism events. On Monday, Shanghai experienced significant transportation interruptions, with over 900 flights canceled at its two main airports. Heavy rainfall caused flooding in various parts of the city and disrupted public transit systems as the Yangtze River Delta and adjacent coastal regions continued to receive intense rain.
Dolphin became the 13th typhoon to impact China in 2026, making landfall in Zhejiang on Sunday with strong winds. It hit near Yuhuan in Taizhou around 5:30 p.m., with local data indicating maximum winds near 42 meters per second, approximately 151 kilometers per hour. The storm subsequently made landfall again within Zhejiang before progressing further inland. Its broad circulation carried heavy rainfall into Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, and surrounding areas.
Dolphin Moves Further Inland After Coastal Impact
By 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dolphin had reached Huanggang in Hubei Province, weakening to a tropical-storm level. The National Meteorological Center maintained a blue typhoon alert as the system moved toward the west-northwest. Wind speeds near the storm’s center decreased to 18 meters per second, with a central pressure of 995 hectopascals. Traveling at roughly 15 kilometers per hour, Dolphin’s rain bands continued to impact large parts beyond its initial landfall zone.
As rainfall shifted toward central and northern China, flood response measures were escalated nationwide. The Ministry of Water Resources activated a Level IV flood emergency response for Hubei, Henan, Hebei, and Shandong. Zhejiang retained a Level III response due to ongoing flood and river risks. Central authorities allocated 120 million yuan to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi for rescue operations, emergency shelters, hazard mitigation, safety inspections, and repairs to damaged infrastructure and homes.
Extensive Heavy Rainfall Threatens Multiple Regions
Forecasts from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday indicate widespread heavy rain across eastern, central, and northern China. Regions including Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Shandong, and Hebei are among the areas affected. Beijing and Tianjin also faced periods of intense rainfall, with totals expected to reach between 250 and 350 millimeters in parts of southwestern Shandong and central and eastern Henan. The eastern coastline, nearby seas, the Yangtze River estuary, and Hangzhou Bay experienced persistent strong winds.
Authorities remained vigilant over rivers, mountain districts, and low-lying communities as Dolphin continued its inland journey. The 167,900 evacuations reported specifically in Fujian Province do not encompass the total evacuations across eastern China. Shanghai alone reported over 215,000 people relocated as a precaution, with Zhejiang also moving large populations before the storm’s landfall. Although Dolphin had significantly weakened along the coast by Tuesday morning, its circulation still generated heavy rainfall across several central and eastern provinces.