China issues red alert as Typhoon Dolphin approaches
Beijing, August 9
China's national observatory on Sunday issued a red alert, the highest classification in the country's meteorological warning system, as Typhoon Dolphin approached the eastern coastline.
According to the National Meteorological Centre (NMC), the typhoon is forecast to make landfall along the eastern littoral, stretching from Sanmen in Zhejiang Province to Fuding in Fujian Province, between Sunday evening and the early hours of Monday.
Xinhua News Agency reported that NMC chief forecaster Wang Haiping urged high vigilance, citing the system's severe precipitation intensity, expansive geographic footprint, and extended duration.
From Sunday through Wednesday, intense downpours are expected across northern Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, eastern Hubei, central and eastern Henan, and southern Shandong, with localised areas in central-eastern Zhejiang and southern Anhui anticipating extreme torrential rain.
Outlining critical risk areas, Wang indicated that coastal zones across East China and the East China Sea must prepare for severe gales. Between Sunday and Tuesday, expansive stretches of the East China Sea, Hangzhou Bay, the Zhejiang coast, and the Yangtze River Estuary are projected to encounter winds measuring Force 9 to 12, with gusts ranging from Force 11 to 14, while areas adjacent to the typhoon's core could experience gusts reaching Force 15 to 16.
Authorities in affected provinces have also been advised to guard against secondary hazards induced by sustained heavy rainfall. The NMC highlighted heightened risks of mountain torrents, geological instability, and flash flooding along small and medium-sized rivers across Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan, and Hebei, alongside significant urban waterlogging risks in several municipalities.
Projections from the NMC indicate that Typhoon Dolphin will track north-westward and steadily lose intensity following landfall. Beyond Wednesday, the residual low-pressure system is expected to shift northward.
"A typhoon landfall does not mean its impact is over. After Dolphin makes landfall, it will push further inland," Wang warned.
From Thursday to Sunday, heavy rainfall is anticipated across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, northern Shandong, and Liaoning, with specific areas bracing for severe torrential rain.
In light of the advancing storm, China's meteorological administration on Sunday escalated its emergency response protocol for major meteorological disasters from Level III to Level II.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Red alert means business. The wind speeds of Force 15-16 near the core are terrifying—that's beyond what most buildings can handle. I hope they've evacuated vulnerable coastal communities early. Our Kerala floods in 2018 taught us that preparation saves lives. Solidarity with the people in the typhoon's path.
These super typhoons are getting more intense with climate change, no doubt. The fact it's forecast to dump rain all the way up to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei shows how massive this system is. Interesting how China's warning system works—Level II emergency response is quite swift. Best of luck to everyone affected.
The meteorologist's warning is spot on—landfall doesn't mean the danger is over. In India, we often see cyclones weaken after landfall but still cause massive flooding inland, just like the NMC is predicting for provinces like Henan and Hebei. The urban waterlogging risk in Shanghai and other cities is especially concerning given how dense those metro areas are. Hope they've got robust drainage systems in place.
As someone from coastal Tamil Nadu, I empathise deeply with this situation. Cyclones are no joke—we lost so much in Cyclone Gaja in 2018. But I must respectfully point out that China's early warning systems and evacuation protocols seem much more organised than what we have in many parts of India. We could learn a thing or two from their meteorological preparedness. Praying for minimal casualties.
Force 14 gusts can level buildings and uproot trees like they're twigs. The secondary hazards—mountain torrents and flash
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