Typhoon Dolphin Slams China, Over a Million Evacuated in Shanghai and Beyond!

As Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in eastern China, authorities evacuated more than a million residents from Shanghai and other areas. Meteorological agencies reported that Typhoon Dolphin first hit Yuhuan City in Zhejiang Province at 17:30 local time on Sunday, August 9 (09:30 GMT), with maximum sustained winds of 151.2 km/h—nearly matching the 162 km/h record set by Typhoon Red霞 two weeks prior. About an hour later, it made a second landfall in Wenzhou City. The storm brought regional transportation to a standstill, with over 1,000 flights canceled in Shanghai alone on Monday, August 10. Chinese authorities had issued the highest-level red alert for Typhoon Dolphin but downgraded it to a tropical storm by Monday morning. The system is moving inland, and officials continue to warn of torrential rains, severe flooding, and landslide risks through Wednesday, August 12. Heavy rainfall is expected on Monday in Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang provinces, and Shanghai. On August 9, 2026, Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. (AP)

Local governments have urged residents to avoid outdoor activities, and several major tourist attractions remain closed, including parts of Shanghai Disneyland, sections of Legoland, and multiple viewing platforms along the Bund. Official media footage shows popular areas in Xuhui District, the former French Concession in Shanghai, flooded, with people wading through ankle-deep water.

Multiple state media outlets reported that a nine-year-old boy in Wenling, Zhejiang, was swept into the sea and went missing. Chinese authorities have not reported any casualties so far.

Meteorologists say rainfall in parts of Zhejiang could reach 250 to 500 millimeters over the coming days. In Hangzhou, the provincial capital, authorities have waived parking fees at all public lots to accommodate drivers seeking shelter from strong winds and flooding. In other parts of the province, Wenzhou authorities have relocated about 900,000 residents and opened over 1,000 emergency shelters, while Taizhou has seen approximately 390,000 people evacuated.

In coastal Fujian Province, maritime authorities have suspended dozens of passenger ferry routes and halted over 100 offshore construction projects.

According to China Central Television (CCTV), Typhoon Dolphin traveled over 6,000 kilometers before landfall, indicating a lifespan more than three times the average for typical typhoons. CCTV also noted the storm's vast circulation and strong rainfall potential.

On August 10, 2026, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, was left in chaos after Typhoon Dolphin passed through. (AP)

Misinformation about the storm spread rapidly online in China, with state media reporting that two individuals were detained for spreading false content. A 60-year-old man used artificial intelligence to create a fake video claiming someone fell from a Shanghai building during the storm. A 32-year-old man re-edited storm footage posted by other social media users in a misleading way.

Before hitting China, Typhoon Dolphin brought heavy rains to the Philippines, northern parts of Taiwan, and Japan's Okinawa Island. The Philippines' Office of Civil Defense reported eight deaths due to monsoon rains intensified by the typhoon and earlier storms, with over 7,000 people sheltering in evacuation centers.

In Okinawa, Japan, the prefectural government reported five elderly people injured, none life-threatening. Three were injured due to falls caused by strong winds.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Observatory recorded a historic high temperature of 36.9°C on Sunday, as the typhoon brought warm air to the city.

The typhoon season in the Northwest Pacific typically runs from May to October, when typhoons are more common. This year is a strong El Niño year, and experts say this could mean typhoons may develop with greater intensity.

This article was originally written in English. We used AI to assist with translation, and it was reviewed by BBC journalists before publication. Learn more about how we use AI.

On August 10, 2026, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, was left in chaos after Typhoon Dolphin passed through. (AP)