13 times the size of Zhejiang: China deploys drones, AI as Typhoon Dolphin nears coast

China is deploying advanced technology as the country prepares for the impending arrival of Typhoon Dolphin, which is 13 times the size of Zhejiang province, according to the National Meteorological Centre. The typhoon, currently 820km from China’s east coast, is expected to make landfall between Zhejiang in eastern China and northern Fujian over the weekend. A yellow alert has been issued, warning of strong winds and heavy rain in Zhejiang, Fujian, and Taiwan.

Drones have been deployed to patrol the seas, ferry routes have been suspended, construction halted, and fishermen evacuated. The AI forecasting system at the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Centre will provide predictions about the typhoon’s route, strength, and landfall for the next 240 hours. The typhoon’s expansive wind radius means inland provinces, including Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Henan, and Shandong, should also be vigilant, as they may experience heavy rain and flash floods.

In Zhejiang, a level 2 emergency response has been activated, with the suspension of 162 ferry routes, 193 construction projects, and the docking of 474 ships. Coastal Ningbo city has halted all seaside tourism and sports activities. Fujian province has raised its emergency response to level 4, urging cities to manage fishing boats, ferries, offshore wind power platforms, evacuate residents, inspect hazardous areas, and prepare emergency supplies.

Shanghai could face the brunt of the typhoon’s impact if it travels northwest, with strong winds and rainfall exceeding 10cm over the next few days. Typhoon Maysak, Bavi, and Noul, which occurred this year, killed at least 50 people and caused economic losses of 23 billion yuan. Meteorologists warn residents of China to remain vigilant for extreme weather, especially with a strong El Nino event looming, and expect two or three typhoons to make landfall or affect the country.