Shanghai’s airports were forced to cancel numerous flights on Monday due to the heavy rainfall brought by tropical storm Dolphin in eastern China. The storm had made landfall as a typhoon the day before, causing flooding in various areas.
Shanghai’s Hongqiao and Pudong airports canceled over 900 flights, which accounted for approximately 40% of the scheduled flights, following the cancellation of around 1,300 flights the previous day. Additionally, Shanghai suspended some metro lines, while China Railway Chengdu Group halted 115 trains.
Authorities issued warnings about the potential for severe flooding and landslides in certain regions. State broadcaster CCTV reported rescue efforts in Yueqing, Zhejiang province, where individuals were trapped in flooded homes.
The China Meteorological Administration stated that Dolphin was moving northwest at a speed of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour and was expected to weaken further. The storm had initially made landfall in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, with wind speeds of 151 kilometers per hour.
In response to the storm, over 760,000 people were evacuated as a precautionary measure, including significant evacuations in Taizhou, Shanghai, and Fujian province. In Zhejiang’s Hangzhou, iconic tourist spots were temporarily closed, with plans to reopen on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, tropical storm Chan-hom was on track to reach Japan’s Pacific coast, with forecasted strengthening before landfall. As Dolphin continued its path, authorities in Beijing prepared for significant rainfall and potential flash floods, while regions like Shanghai experienced extensive flooding and disruptions in daily activities.
The impact of Dolphin was likened to the destructive effects of a past typhoon, emphasizing the need for vigilance in various regions. With the ongoing active typhoon season in the northwest Pacific, weather experts predicted a high number of tropical storms and typhoons for the year.
