Shanghai airports faced significant disruptions on Monday due to tropical storm Dolphin bringing heavy rainfall to eastern China. The storm had transitioned from a typhoon upon landfall the previous day. Shanghai’s Hongqiao and Pudong airports collectively canceled over 900 flights, accounting for about 40% of the scheduled flights. Additionally, the China Railway Chengdu Group suspended 115 trains, and Shanghai suspended certain metro lines as a precautionary measure.
Authorities issued warnings about potential severe flooding and landslides in various regions. In Zhejiang province’s city of Yueqing, officials conducted search operations for individuals trapped in flooded residences. The China Meteorological Administration reported that Dolphin was moving northwest at speeds of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour, with expectations of gradual weakening.
Dolphin had made landfall in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, with wind speeds reaching 151 kilometers per hour. In response to the storm, over 760,000 people were evacuated preemptively, with significant relocation efforts in Taizhou, Shanghai, and Fujian province. Notably, Hangzhou temporarily closed popular tourist sites due to safety concerns.
Meanwhile, another tropical storm named Chan-hom was approaching Japan’s Pacific coast, with forecasts indicating a slight strengthening before making landfall. The storm was tracked to have wind speeds of 83 kilometers per hour on Monday morning.
In Shanghai, areas such as Jiading and Qingpu districts remained inundated with water, as seen in live streams shared on social media. Residents reported challenges caused by the flooding, with one individual expressing surprise at the extent of the inconvenience brought by the typhoon.
As Dolphin continued its path inland, Beijing braced for heavy rainfall, with authorities preparing flood control responses. The storm’s extensive reach and lasting impact were emphasized, drawing comparisons to previous severe weather events. Additionally, regions such as Hong Kong experienced extreme weather conditions attributed to Dolphin.
Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) anticipated heightened tropical activity in the northwest Pacific for the 2026 typhoon season. Factors such as a strong El Niño event and abnormal trade winds were cited as contributors to the anticipated intensity of the season. Dolphin indirectly impacted the Philippines, exacerbating monsoon rains and resulting in incidents of flooding and landslides across the region.
