Typhoon Dolphin Triggers Mass Travel Shutdowns Across Eastern China

Typhoon Dolphin is expected to make landfall on China’s east coast between Sunday evening and Monday, with sustained winds forecast at 162 km/h. Authorities and transport operators across several provinces and major cities have moved to limit exposure as heavy rain and flooding risks rise.

Officials said the storm’s impact zone is expected to include Zhejiang, Shanghai, Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui, and Jiangsu, where significant rainfall is forecast. They warned that the combination of wind and prolonged precipitation could disrupt essential services and complicate movement of goods and people through early next week.

Transport and port operations scaled back

At Shanghai’s primary airports Large transportation hubs have begun wide operational suspensions. At Shanghai’s primary airports, about 1,400 flights have been cancelled, while Hangzhou reported 270 flight cancellations, according to officials.

Maritime activity has also been curtailed. Operations at Yangshan port have been suspended, and vessels were relocated to secure berths as a precautionary step to reduce the likelihood of storm damage.

Emergency response focuses on flooding and landslide risk Government agencies have activated multi-level emergency response protocols aimed at flooding and geological hazards. Authorities said they have mapped high-risk zones where landslides and riverine flooding are more likely, especially in mountainous areas.

Officials identified river corridors as particular points of Officials identified river corridors as particular points of concern, naming the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao, and Shuiyang rivers among locations where flooding risks could rise. They said monitoring and preparedness measures are being intensified along these waterways as rainfall accumulates.

Evacuations and infrastructure precautions underway

Precautionary steps include the evacuation of offshore personnel and reinforcement work at key infrastructure sites. Authorities said reservoirs and construction locations are among the assets receiving added protection to limit potential damage from wind, water, and related hazards.

While forecasts indicate Dolphin should move inland and weaken after landfall, officials cautioned that the rain may persist. Prolonged precipitation, they said, could keep flooding and landslide threats elevated and prolong disruption to infrastructure and logistics into early next week.