Typhoon Dolphin: Shanghai cancels 1,300 flights, 300,000 evacuated in China

Shanghai's two airports cancelled more than 1,300 flights on Sunday as Typhoon Dolphin approached China's eastern coast, with authorities evacuating nearly 390,000 people from high-risk areas in Zhejiang province and over 30,000 in Shanghai. The storm, which had earlier brought heavy rains to northern Taiwan, is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang late Sunday (August 9, 2026).

The China Meteorological Administration warned of severe flooding and landslides as the typhoon carries maximum sustained winds of approximately 162 kilometres per hour. Forecasters predict rainfall of 200 to 400 millimetres (7.9–15.7 inches) across Zhejiang and northern Fujian over the next few days, with landslide risks particularly high in mountainous parts of Zhejiang.

Shanghai's Hongqiao and Pudong airports cancelled about 60 per cent of their scheduled flights on Sunday, according to The Paper, Shanghai's state media. The cancellations disrupted travel for tens of thousands of passengers, with airlines advising travellers to check schedules before heading to airports.

The storm first affected northern Taiwan on Saturday, lashing the capital Taipei with rain. Several Taiwanese airlines also cancelled flights to mainland China on Sunday as a precaution. No casualties have been reported so far in Taiwan, but authorities there advised residents to stay indoors as the outer bands of the storm passed.

In Zhejiang, authorities evacuated about 390,000 people in Taizhou city by Saturday evening, moving residents from coastal areas and low-lying zones to temporary shelters. In Shanghai, more than 30,000 people were relocated from vulnerable areas. All water-based activities, including ferries and cruises, have been suspended in Zhejiang until further notice.

Typhoon Dolphin is the second major storm to threaten China's eastern seaboard this season. The region is no stranger to typhoons, which typically strike between July and September, but climate scientists have noted an increase in the intensity of storms in the western Pacific in recent years, likely linked to warmer ocean temperatures.

Local governments have activated emergency response plans, with disaster relief teams on standby. The national meteorological authority has urged residents in affected areas to stay indoors, avoid coastal areas, and monitor official warnings. Farmers have been advised to secure crops and livestock, while construction sites and ports have been ordered to cease operations during the storm.

Air and rail travel in the region is expected to remain disrupted through Monday, with authorities assessing damage after the storm passes. Neighbouring provinces, including Jiangsu and Anhui, are also bracing for heavy rain and potential flooding as the typhoon weakens inland.

The storm's trajectory remains under close observation, as forecasters cannot rule out a change in path. Emergency services in Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Fujian are coordinating to ensure a rapid response to any emergencies. The public is advised to follow official updates and avoid spreading unverified information.