Typhoon Dolphin has caused widespread flooding across eastern China, disrupting transportation and forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights in Shanghai.
The storm made landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday evening with maximum sustained winds of 151 kilometres per hour. Although it weakened into a tropical storm, heavy rain continued to affect several eastern provinces.
Shanghai experienced severe flooding on Monday as torrential rain inundated roads and commercial districts. Residents reported waterlogged streets, with some areas submerged under knee-high water.
According to state media, Shanghai’s two airports cancelled a combined 943 flights because of the weather conditions. The cancellations reduced airport capacity by nearly 40 percent.
China Eastern Airlines said it was working to gradually restore flight operations to Shanghai, Zhejiang and other affected destinations. However, authorities warned that weather conditions could continue to impact transportation services.
Local authorities in Shanghai’s Jinshan district allowed non-essential businesses, outdoor events and some transport services to suspend operations due to forecasts of continued heavy rain and strong winds.
The impact of Typhoon Dolphin extended beyond Shanghai, affecting Anhui, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces. Officials in Beijing also issued warnings for heavy rainfall and possible flash floods as the storm system moves northward.
Meteorologists said Dolphin had travelled an unusually long distance before making landfall, creating a massive cloud system across eastern China. Experts also warned that the 2026 Pacific typhoon season could become one of the most active on record.
