Typhoon Dolphin weakens but disrupts travel in east China

The Trajectory and Impact of Typhoon Dolphin

Typhoon Dolphin developed rapidly in the western Pacific before making its initial approach towards China’s eastern seaboard. Over the weekend of August 8-9, 2026, it intensified significantly, prompting a top-level typhoon alert from Chinese authorities as it threatened densely populated coastal regions. Its first landfall occurred late on Sunday, August 9, in Zhejiang province, a critical manufacturing and economic powerhouse. Hours later, a second landfall followed within the same province, unleashing gale-force winds and relentless rain. Prior to its arrival, local governments initiated widespread preparedness measures, including the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents from vulnerable coastal areas and fishing communities, alongside the recall of fishing vessels to port. The intensity of the storm at its peak necessitated these proactive measures to safeguard lives and minimize property damage, reflecting China’s well-honed disaster response protocols for such meteorological events.

By Monday morning, August 10, the typhoon had noticeably weakened as it moved inland, leading the NMC to downgrade its alert to the least severe category. Despite this weakening, the extensive moisture carried by Dolphin meant that heavy precipitation continued to inundate parts of east and central China, with forecasts indicating these conditions would persist for at least another 24 hours. The storm’s broad rainbands stretched across multiple provinces, affecting millions and disrupting daily life and economic activities. The prolonged rainfall, even from a weakening system, presented an elevated risk of secondary hazards such as landslides and urban flooding, particularly in areas with saturated ground from previous rain events.

Widespread Disruptions and Emergency Responses

The immediate and most visible impact of Typhoon Dolphin was the severe disruption to transportation networks. Shanghai, China’s financial hub, experienced massive flight cancellations at its two main passenger airports, Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA). A staggering 943 flights were grounded on Monday, August 10, according to the airport authority, stranding thousands of travelers and significantly impacting both domestic and international air travel schedules. The ripple effects of these cancellations extended far beyond Shanghai, causing delays and further cancellations across China’s busy aviation network. Airlines worked to rebook passengers, but the sheer volume of disrupted flights meant significant delays and logistical challenges were inevitable.

Beyond air travel, public transport services in Shanghai were also heavily affected. Many local train services, including parts of the extensive subway system, were suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure passenger safety in the face of strong winds and heavy rain. This brought significant challenges for commuters and businesses, underscoring the vital role of public transport in megacities like Shanghai. In Zhejiang province, Ningbo International Airport, a key regional hub, announced the resumption of flight operations from midday (0400 GMT) on Monday. However, the airport authority issued a cautionary note, warning that residual effects of the typhoon, such as adverse weather conditions and operational backlogs, meant that some journeys might still face delays or cancellations. This phased resumption highlighted the cautious approach taken by authorities to ensure safety and operational stability.

The provincial capital of Hangzhou, another major city in Zhejiang, also saw its subway services resume on Monday morning, following partial suspensions on Sunday. These rapid resumptions of public services, even as warnings remained in place, reflected the coordinated efforts of local authorities to restore normalcy as quickly and safely as possible, balancing public convenience with ongoing safety concerns. Meanwhile, the NMC’s warnings were amplified by a severe flash flood alert issued for parts of eastern and southern Zhejiang, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. Such alerts are critical for prompting local governments and residents to take immediate action, including moving to higher ground and avoiding low-lying areas prone to rapid inundation. The sheer volume of water dumped by Dolphin posed a severe threat to infrastructure and agricultural lands, particularly in river basins and coastal plains.

Economic and Social Ramifications

The economic ramifications of Typhoon Dolphin, though difficult to fully quantify immediately, are expected to be substantial. Coastal provinces like Zhejiang and cities like Shanghai are economic powerhouses, heavily reliant on efficient logistics and continuous operations. Flight and transport cancellations lead to direct economic losses for airlines, airports, and related industries such as tourism and hospitality. Businesses that rely on timely supply chains, particularly those involved in manufacturing and export, faced delays and potential disruptions to their production schedules. Port operations, vital for China’s global trade, would have also experienced slowdowns or temporary closures, adding to the economic toll.

Beyond immediate financial losses, the typhoon placed significant strain on emergency services and disaster relief infrastructure. Tens of thousands of evacuations required considerable resources, from shelter provisions to logistical support. The potential for damage to agriculture, particularly in rural areas of Zhejiang, could impact local food supplies and farmers’ livelihoods. While urban centers often have robust drainage systems, intense rainfall events frequently overwhelm them, leading to urban flooding that damages property, disrupts utilities, and poses health risks. The long-term costs of recovery, including infrastructure repair and support for affected communities, will add to the overall economic burden.

Socially, the typhoon brought widespread anxiety and inconvenience. Families were separated, travel plans disrupted, and daily routines upended. The psychological impact of facing such powerful natural events, especially in a region accustomed to regular typhoon seasons but increasingly witnessing more intense storms, cannot be overlooked. The images of residents navigating flooded streets and the widespread precautions served as a stark reminder of humanity’s vulnerability to the forces of nature.

A Season of Extreme Weather

Typhoon Dolphin’s arrival came amidst an already active and challenging typhoon season for China, highlighting a worrying trend of increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events. Just two weeks prior, Typhoon Noul had struck southern Guangdong province. Authorities at the time declared Noul the strongest storm to hit China that year, underscoring the growing power of these systems. Noul caused extensive damage, particularly to coastal infrastructure and agricultural areas in Guangdong, necessitating significant recovery efforts.

Earlier in the preceding month, southern and central China had already grappled with the devastating effects of Typhoon Maysak. Maysak triggered catastrophic floods in the southern Guangxi region, claiming the lives of 39 people. This tragic event underscored the severe human cost associated with these powerful storms, particularly when they bring torrential rainfall to inland areas. Furthermore, Maysak also unleashed thunderstorms and gale-force winds in the central province of Hubei, where 11 people were killed and 331 sustained injuries. The cumulative impact of these successive typhoons—Noul, Maysak, and now Dolphin—paints a grim picture of a region under siege from increasingly severe weather patterns, stretching emergency resources and testing the resilience of communities.

The recurrence of such powerful storms in quick succession raises serious questions about long-term climate trends and adaptation strategies. Each typhoon, while distinct in its path and specific impacts, contributes to a broader narrative of escalating climate challenges faced by China and other vulnerable coastal nations.

Climate Change and China’s Vulnerability

Scientists worldwide have increasingly warned that the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, including typhoons and torrential rainfall, are set to increase as the planet continues to heat up. This alarming trend is directly linked to the accumulation of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels. Warmer ocean waters provide more energy for tropical storms, allowing them to intensify rapidly and sustain their strength for longer periods. A warmer atmosphere also holds more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall events associated with these storms, exacerbating flood risks.

China, being the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, plays a pivotal role in global climate action. Its vast industrial base and massive population contribute significantly to global emissions. However, China is also a global renewable energy powerhouse, demonstrating a strong commitment to transitioning towards a more sustainable future. The nation has set an ambitious target to make its massive economy carbon-neutral by 2060, investing heavily in solar, wind, and hydropower technologies. Despite these efforts, the immediate impacts of climate change, such as more intense typhoons, pose immediate and pressing challenges to its development and stability.

The repeated battering by typhoons underscores China’s inherent vulnerability as a nation with an extensive coastline and large river systems. The implications extend beyond immediate disaster response to long-term urban planning, infrastructure resilience, and agricultural practices. Coastal cities are increasingly investing in robust sea defenses, improved drainage systems, and early warning technologies. However, the scale of the challenge requires continuous adaptation and substantial investment to protect its vast population and critical economic assets from the escalating threats of a changing climate.

Looking Ahead: Continued Vigilance

Even as Typhoon Dolphin continued to weaken, the National Meteorological Centre maintained warnings for persistent heavy rain across parts of east and central China for the coming day. The threat of flash floods, landslides, and urban inundation remained significant in already saturated regions. Further north, the capital Beijing also braced for extreme weather, with five districts issuing red alerts for heavy rain on Monday. These warnings highlighted the potential for landslide and flooding risks in the northern parts of the country, indicating that the extreme weather patterns were not confined solely to the typhoon-affected southern and eastern coasts. The geographical spread of these warnings underscores the systemic nature of the current weather challenges facing China.

Authorities across affected regions remained on high alert, with emergency response teams deployed and monitoring systems continuously tracking weather developments. Public awareness campaigns urged residents to remain vigilant, follow official advisories, and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The experience of Typhoon Dolphin, much like its predecessors Noul and Maysak, serves as a crucial reminder of the unpredictable and often devastating power of nature, amplified by the ongoing realities of global climate change. As China strives to balance rapid economic development with environmental sustainability, its capacity to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of such extreme weather events will be a defining challenge in the decades to come. The immediate focus remains on recovery, ensuring the safety of all citizens, and meticulously planning for future resilience against a climate that is becoming increasingly volatile.