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Shanghai has cancelled more than 1,300 flights, with authorities relocating over 300,000 people as China gears up for Typhoon Dolphin as heavy rain reaches northern Taiwan.
On Saturday, August 8, the storm hit northern Taiwan, including the capital, Taipei, with heavy rain, prompting several airlines to cancel their Sunday flights to China.
60 per cent of flights cancelled amid rain
Shanghai's Hongqiao and Pudong airports cancelled about 60 per cent of Sunday's expected flights, according to the Paper, Shanghai's state media.
Moreover, authorities in Zhejiang evacuated some 390,000 people in the city of Taizhou, and in Shanghai, more than 30,000 people were evacuated from riskier areas.
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Zhejiang authorities also suspended all water-based activities, including ferries and cruises.
The storm’s maximum sustained winds were estimated at about 162 kilometres per hour (101 mph) as of Sunday morning.
It is bringing heavy rains, creating a risk of severe flooding as well as landslides, and is expected to hit Zhejiang province and northern parts of neighbouring Fujian province late Sunday.
Typhoon Dolphin details
As reported by The Independent, the storm is equal to that of a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which is capable of causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
Forecasters in China predicted that areas could see 200-400 mm (7.9–15.7 inches) of rainfall over the next few days.
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Typhoon Dolphin in Japan
Typhoon Dolphin has already swept through Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture, injuring six people and cutting power to more than 50,000 buildings.
Before its landfall in China, authorities moved offshore workers to safety, ordered vessels back to port and increased checks at reservoirs, mountain streams, landslide-prone areas, construction sites and tourist locations.
Wang Haiping, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Centre, shared that Dolphin is forecast to track westward before slowing over central and southwestern China and gradually losing strength.
Shanghai's Yangshan port cleared ships from its berths and moved more than 500 small and medium-sized vessels to shelter ahead of Dolphin, the city's maritime safety administration said.
