Typhoon Dolphin batters Japan's Okinawa before bearing down on China

Typhoon Dolphin has slammed into the Japanese island of Okinawa on Saturday, causing significant disruption and injuries. At least 44,000 buildings lost power and five elderly people sustained non-life-threatening injuries after strong winds toppled trees and overturned vehicles. Naha International Airport closed its doors as the typhoon arrived, with flights to and from the island disrupted.

The storm, categorized as a "very strong" typhoon by the Japan Meteorological Agency, brought maximum wind speeds of 162km/h (101mph). The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of high waves, storm surges, and lightning strikes. Authorities in China, where Dolphin is expected to make landfall late on Sunday or early on Monday, have shut ports and schools in anticipation.

The main areas affected by the typhoon are Okinawa and Amami islands in southern Japan. In Nago city, numerous trees were uprooted, and a car was found overturned in a parking lot, victims of the powerful winds. Meanwhile, Zhejiang province in eastern China has raised its coastal typhoon alert to its highest level, halting port and ferry services as a result.

Typhoon season in the western Pacific typically runs from May to October, with three typhoons typically making landfall in Japan on average each year. This year, however, is a strong El Niño year, which experts say could result in more intense typhoons.