**Tropical Storm Dolphin Batters Eastern China with Heavy Rain and Strong Winds**
*Published on August 10, 2026*
Tropical Storm Dolphin has made a significant impact on eastern China, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds that have raised concerns about severe flooding and landslides. The storm made landfall late on Sunday in Yuhuan, Zhejiang province, where it was classified as a typhoon with maximum sustained winds reaching 151 kilometers per hour (94 mph). In response to the approaching storm, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued a "red alert," the highest level in the country's typhoon warning system.
As the storm progressed, authorities evacuated over one million residents from their homes, with significant relocations reported in Wenzhou, Shanghai, and Fujian province. Specifically, the city of Wenzhou saw more than 900,000 residents moved to safety, while nearly 100,000 were evacuated from Shanghai and approximately 99,000 from Fujian.
By Monday, Tropical Storm Dolphin had weakened as it moved inland, losing some of its energy but continuing to unleash torrential rain across several eastern provinces. Areas including Anhui, Jiangsu, and parts of Zhejiang were particularly affected, with forecasts predicting rainfall amounts between 250 to 500 millimeters (9.8 to 19.7 inches) in certain regions. The storm's heavy rains have raised alarms for potential flooding and landslides, prompting local authorities to issue warnings.
In Shanghai, the impact of the storm was felt at the airports, where a total of 943 flights were canceled, resulting in a nearly 40 percent reduction in capacity. Authorities have advised residents to work from home and limit outdoor activities to ensure safety during the storm.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Wenling, a city in Zhejiang province, where local media reported that crews are searching for a nine-year-old boy who was swept into the sea during the storm. The urgency of these operations underscores the storm's destructive potential and the challenges faced by emergency responders.
As Tropical Storm Dolphin continues its path, it is forecasted to move deeper into central provinces such as Hubei and Henan in the coming days, while also pushing moisture northward. In anticipation of the storm's effects, authorities in Beijing have raised warnings for torrential rain, with preparations in place to activate the city's flood control response. Significant rainfall is expected in Beijing from Tuesday through Thursday, with officials warning of the risk of flash floods and landslides in the surrounding mountainous areas.
The situation remains dynamic as the storm progresses, and local authorities are closely monitoring developments to ensure the safety of residents in the affected regions.