Typhoon Dolphin: more than a million people evacuated in China as record rainfall dumped on Shanghai

More than a million individuals were evacuated and relocated to safety across eastern China as Typhoon Dolphin made landfall, raising concerns over potential flooding and landslides. Wenzhou, a coastal city in Zhejiang province, reported relocating over 900,000 residents and establishing more than 1,500 emergency shelters. Neighboring Fujian province saw 98,900 people moved from high-risk areas, while Shanghai saw 215,600 people evacuated from at-risk zones, a significant increase from an initial estimate of 30,300.

A weather station in the city center recorded its highest 24-hour rainfall in over 150 years. Forecasters anticipated that certain regions could experience rainfall ranging from 200 to 400mm (7.9–15.7 inches) in the days ahead. By Monday morning, the typhoon had weakened to a tropical storm, but heavy rain was still expected as it moved further north and inland, impacting large portions of eastern and central China, extending into Shandong province and affecting Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai.

Authorities cautioned that intense rain could lead to widespread flooding and landslides through Wednesday, advising residents to remain indoors during the downpours. The storm caused Shanghai's two airports to cancel more than 1,300 flights. Dolphin previously passed through Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture, injuring six people and cutting power to more than 50,000 buildings.

The Philippines also experienced impacts as the typhoon intensified the seasonal monsoon rains, causing flooding in many areas of the northern Luzon region, including around Manila. Climate scientists attribute the likelihood of extreme weather events, such as powerful typhoons, to global warming.