{
  "id": 269154,
  "title": "Typhoon Dolphin: Hongkongers stuck in Okinawa prepare for low supplies, power cuts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/typhoon-dolphin-hongkongers-stuck-in-okinawa-prepare-for-low-supplies",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-07T14:59:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3363357/typhoon-dolphin-hongkongers-stuck-okinawa-prepare-low-supplies-power-cuts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hong Kong tourists in Okinawa faced dwindling supermarket supplies, potential power outages, and harsh weather as Typhoon Dolphin grounded the island's primary airport and halted all direct flights back to Hong Kong. Photos from social media revealed empty bread shelves and heavy rain in certain regions, though travelers reported varying conditions across the island. The northern area around Churaumi Aquarium experienced \"extremely heavy wind and rain,\" while the southern city of Naha faced a temporary break in the rain. A group from social media posted a picture of empty supermarket shelves and advised visitors, particularly those in central and northern areas, to stock up on candles and drinking water in anticipation of electricity and water shortages.\n\nDespite the warnings, one traveler in Mihama claimed to be experiencing more moderate conditions, noting that two major supermarkets had ample supplies and no panic buying had occurred. Numerous popular attractions and shopping centers, including DMM Kariyushi Aquarium and Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom, closed due to the storm. Over 500 flights were canceled across southwestern Japan, and nearly 260,000 residents in Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures were ordered to evacuate due to fears of powerful winds, torrential rain, and high waves.\n\nNaha International Airport was forced to close on Friday, grounding all domestic and international flights as Typhoon Dolphin passed just north of Okinawa’s main island with maximum sustained winds of 144km/h (89.4mph). All six flights scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to Okinawa on Friday were either canceled or delayed, including HK Express flights 842, 844, and 824; Hong Kong Airlines flights 676 and 658; and Greater Bay Airlines flight 336D, which was postponed until Monday morning. Hong Kong’s Travel Industry Council estimated that only two to three tour groups were present in Okinawa, according to a spokesperson. Executive director Fanny Yeung Shuk-fun reported that all travelers were safe and were remaining at their respective hotels. Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, stated that his agency had two travel groups in Okinawa, with all 35 tourists remaining safe. Both tours had to remain in their hotels due to the traffic standstill, though their departure for Okinawa the following day experienced a slight delay. Authorities in the prefecture reported that three elderly men sustained minor injuries, while around 240 people sought refuge at evacuation centers across Okinawa by midday.",
  "summary": "Typhoon Dolphin has brought about significant disruptions for Hongkongers holidaying in Okinawa, with empty supermarket shelves, potential power cuts, and violent weather conditions. Social media images show torrential rain sweeping parts of the popular destination, though conditions vary across the island. While some areas, such as northern Okinawa, are experiencing \"extremely heavy wind and rain,\" others, like Naha in the south, are temporarily caught in a gap between rainbands. Supermarket shelves are reported to be empty, and several major attractions and shopping centres, including DMM Kariyushi Aquarium and Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom, have closed due to the storm. Over 500 flights have been cancelled across southwestern Japan, and nearly 260,000 residents in Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures have been ordered to evacuate. The Hong Kong Travel Industry Council estimates that there are only two to three tour groups in Okinawa, and all travellers are reported to be safe and staying at their hotels.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "Typhoon Dolphin: Hongkongers stuck in Okinawa prepare for low supplies, power cuts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/typhoon-dolphin-hongkongers-stuck-in-okinawa-prepare-for-low-supplies-329345",
        "published": "2026-08-07T14:59:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Typhoon Dolphin hits Okinawa, with China shutting ports ahead of landfall",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/typhoon-dolphin-hits-okinawa-with-china-shutting-ports-ahead-of",
        "published": "2026-08-08T04:43:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "China braces for Typhoon Dolphin after storm lashes Japan's southern islands",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/china-braces-for-typhoon-dolphin-after-storm-lashes-japans-southern",
        "published": "2026-08-08T14:44:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Science",
        "title": "Typhoon Dolphin batters Japan's Okinawa before bearing down on China",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/typhoon-dolphin-batters-japans-okinawa-before-bearing-down-on-china",
        "published": "2026-08-08T15:15:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}