China: Typhoon Dolphin prompts mass evacuation, canceled flights

Typhoon Dolphin, currently weakening, triggered a mass evacuation and halted flights across China on Monday. The National Meteorological Centre issued its mildest typhoon alert as the storm lost power after hitting China's Zhejiang Province on Sunday. Despite its weakened state, the NMC warned that eastern and central China would still face intense rainfall.

Authorities declared their most severe flash flood alert for parts of eastern and southern Zhejiang. Five districts in Beijing were under red alerts for heavy rainfall, with potential landslides and floods. Over 1,000 flights were canceled in China, a 40% reduction in capacity compared to previous days. Shanghai evacuated more than 30,000 people from high-risk areas.

One million individuals were advised to seek shelter. Shanghai's two major international airports canceled 943 flights, impacting public transport with several local trains suspended. Zhejiang's Ningbo International Airport resumed flights midday on Monday but cautioned that some travel may still be delayed or canceled. China has faced Typhoon Dolphin just two weeks after Typhoon Noul struck its southern Guangdong province, and central Hubei province was hit by Typhoon Maysak last month, causing 11 deaths and over 300 injuries.

Extreme weather is common in China during this season, leading to widespread displacement, infrastructure damage, and loss of life. Scientists warn that the severity and frequency of such weather events are increasing due to climate change.