Shanghai airports were forced to cancel a significant number of flights on Monday due to tropical storm Dolphin unleashing heavy rainfall in eastern China. The storm, which had transitioned from a typhoon upon making landfall the day before, caused flooding in various areas. Shanghai’s Hongqiao and Pudong airports had to cancel over 900 flights, representing about 40% of the total expected flights, following the cancellation of approximately 1,300 flights the previous day, as reported by Shanghai Airport Group.
Moreover, Shanghai had to suspend certain metro lines, and China Railway Chengdu Group halted 115 trains on Monday due to the storm’s impact. Authorities issued warnings about the potential for severe flooding and landslides in specific regions. State broadcaster CCTV highlighted efforts in Yueqing, Zhejiang province, where authorities were searching for individuals trapped in flooded residences.
The China Meteorological Administration indicated that Dolphin was moving northwest at speeds of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour and was anticipated to weaken further. The storm had made landfall in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, with wind speeds reaching 151 kilometers per hour on Sunday night after causing heavy rain in northern Taiwan over the weekend.
Tropical storm Chan-hom was also on the horizon, heading towards Japan’s Pacific coast with winds of 83 kilometers per hour on Monday morning. The storm was projected to slightly intensify before reaching land between Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The impact of Dolphin was felt in various regions, with reports of a truck overturning in Zhejiang’s Wenzhou due to powerful winds and heavy rain. The storm prompted the preemptive relocation of at least 760,000 individuals, with significant evacuations in areas like Taizhou, Shanghai, and Fujian province. Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang, had to temporarily close its notable West Lake scenic spots and other tourist attractions.
As Dolphin continued its path, Beijing was poised to experience substantial rainfall, with authorities preparing for potential flash floods and landslides. The storm’s extensive journey, spanning 6,000 kilometers before landfall, led to a prolonged impact across China’s eastern regions. Dolphin’s effects were likened to the destructive nature of the 2023 typhoon Doksuri, which resulted in significant rainfall in Beijing after wreaking havoc in Fujian province.
The situation in Shanghai remained challenging, with reports of flooded streets in suburban areas and residents sharing live streams of the waterlogged conditions. The storm’s far-reaching impact also affected Hong Kong, where extreme heat was recorded, marking the hottest day in the city’s history. The forecast for the 2026 northwest Pacific typhoon season predicted heightened activity due to various climatic factors, including a strong El Niño event and abnormal trade winds.
Although Dolphin did not strike the Philippines directly, it exacerbated the monsoon rains in the region, leading to flooding and landslides. The Philippines experienced casualties and displacements as a result of the severe weather conditions, with numerous individuals affected by the ongoing adverse weather patterns.