Shanghai’s airports faced major disruptions on Monday due to tropical storm Dolphin, which brought heavy rain to eastern China. The storm, previously a typhoon, led to the cancellation of over 900 flights at Hongqiao and Pudong airports, representing about 40% of the expected flights. The day before, approximately 1,300 flights were already canceled, as reported by the Shanghai Airport Group.
In response to the severe weather, Shanghai authorities suspended some metro lines, while China Railway Chengdu Group halted 115 trains. Concerns were raised about the risk of severe flooding and landslides in certain areas, with reports of authorities in Zhejiang province’s Yueqing city searching for individuals trapped in flooded homes.
The China Meteorological Administration stated that Dolphin was moving northwest at a speed of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour and was anticipated to weaken further. The storm made landfall in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, with winds reaching 151 kilometers per hour after impacting northern Taiwan over the weekend.
In Zhejiang’s Wenzhou, a video shared on TikTok showed a truck being overturned by powerful winds and heavy rain, raising uncertainties about the driver’s safety. Dolphin prompted the relocation of at least 760,000 people, with significant evacuations in Taizhou, Shanghai, and Fujian province to safeguard vulnerable areas.
Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang, temporarily closed its popular West Lake scenic spots, temples, parks, and museums, with plans to reopen on Tuesday. Additionally, tropical storm Chan-hom was approaching Japan’s Pacific coast with forecasted strengthening before its anticipated landfall.
In Shanghai, residents shared livestreams on social media showing waterlogged streets in suburban districts, with some areas experiencing knee-high murky water. A local resident, Hou Lina, expressed surprise at the extent of flooding, mentioning that it was the most significant inconvenience she had faced from a typhoon in her ten years in Shanghai.
Authorities in Beijing prepared for significant rainfall and activated flood control measures as Dolphin advanced inland. The prolonged journey of Dolphin, covering 6,000 kilometers before landfall, resulted in an extensive cloud system enveloping China’s eastern regions, according to CCTV reports.
Comparisons were drawn between Dolphin’s impact and the destructive 2023 typhoon Doksuri, which caused record-breaking rainfall in Beijing. The weather agency warned of continued heavy rain in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, with potential flash floods and landslides.
Hong Kong experienced extreme heat due to Dolphin, recording its highest-ever temperature on record. The 2026 northwest Pacific typhoon season was projected to be highly active, with expectations of numerous tropical storms, typhoons, and intense typhoons, attributed to strong El Niño conditions and favorable atmospheric conditions.
While Dolphin did not directly hit the Philippines, it intensified monsoon rains, leading to flooding and landslides in Luzon. Tragic incidents, including a landslide in Baguio city claiming lives and displacing thousands, underscored the destructive impact of the storm in the region.