China issues top typhoon alert as Dolphin hits Zhejiang coast

Beijing,UPDATED: Aug 9, 2026 16:06 IST

China's national observatory on Sunday issued a red alert, the highest level in its typhoon warning system, as Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on the country's eastern coast in Zhejiang province. The meteorological authority also upgraded its emergency response for severe weather disasters from Level III to Level II.

The Meteorological Centre (NMC) said the typhoon made landfall along the east coast from Sanmen in Zhejiang province to Fuding in Fujian province on Sunday afternoon. It warned of heavy rain, strong winds and a wide impact area over the coming days, with several eastern and northern regions likely to be affected.

Wang Haiping, the NMC's chief forecaster, said a high alert was needed because of the typhoon's intense rainfall, extensive impact range and long duration. From Sunday to Wednesday, northern Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, eastern Hubei, central and eastern Henan, and southern Shandong are expected to receive heavy downpours. Some areas in central and eastern Zhejiang and southern Anhui may see severe torrential rain.

Wang said the coastal areas of East China and the East China Sea needed to focus on guarding against gale-force winds. From Sunday to Tuesday, most parts of the East China Sea, Hangzhou Bay, the coastal areas of Zhejiang, and the Yangtze River Estuary are expected to record winds of Force 9 to 12, with gusts of Force 11 to 14. Gusts near the typhoon's centre could reach Force 15 to 16, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The NMC also warned provinces to guard against secondary disasters caused by persistent heavy rain. Risks of mountain torrents, geological disasters, and flash floods in small and medium-sized rivers are relatively high in Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan and Hebei, while some cities face a high risk of urban waterlogging.

The centre said Typhoon Dolphin is expected to move north-westward and gradually weaken after landfall. After Wednesday, the weakened remnant vortex, a low-pressure system that can continue after a tropical cyclone moves inland, will turn northward. "A typhoon's landfall does not mean its impact is over. After Dolphin makes landfall, it will push further inland," Wang said. From Thursday to Sunday, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, northern Shandong and Liaoning are likely to receive heavy rain, with some places expected to see severe torrential downpours.

Overall, Chinese authorities have raised both the typhoon warning and emergency response levels as Typhoon Dolphin moves inland, with forecasts pointing to strong winds, heavy rain and a risk of flooding and related disasters across several regions through the coming week.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends