Typhoon Dolphin makes landfall in China; trains, ferries, flights disrupted and red alert issued

Typhoon Dolphin struck eastern China on Sunday evening, prompting the Chinese government to issue its highest storm alert. Over 1,000 flights were canceled, and some rail services were suspended due to the powerful storm. At the time of landfall, the typhoon's maximum wind force was measured at 42 meters per second (94 mph), according to the China Meteorological Administration.

Earlier in the day, the meteorological authority had issued a red alert, the second time Beijing has issued such a warning this year, following Typhoon Noul in late July. Both Shanghai’s main airports and Hangzhou suspended numerous flights, while Ningbo Lishe International Airport began canceling flights the night before. In response to the typhoon, Shanghai halted ferry services, closed subway lines and long-distance bus services, and relocated over 100,000 people. Over 390,000 residents in Taizhou were forced to evacuate due to the storm.

Extreme weather conditions in China this summer have resulted in numerous deaths and substantial economic losses. Vast areas of the nation have experienced heavy rainfall since early July, causing flash flooding and crop damage. President Xi Jinping had previously called for "all-out" disaster prevention and relief efforts in July after deadly storms affected parts of the country.

Rail operators suspended train services in certain regions of the Yangtze River Delta, with disruptions expected to persist until Thursday. Major ports near Shanghai, including the largest refueling hub for ships, Zhoushan, also halted operations as the storm continued to impact the region.