Typhoon Dolphin became one of the biggest weather events in East Asia between August 7 and 10, 2026, after a powerful storm moved toward China’s densely populated eastern coast. The typhoon made landfall in Zhejiang Province on Sunday, August 9, bringing strong winds, torrential rain, flooding, and the threat of landslides. It was reported to be the strongest typhoon to make landfall in China during 2026 at that point.
The storm forced authorities to take extensive emergency measures. More than one million people were evacuated from areas considered vulnerable to flooding and landslides. In addition, more than 1,000 flights were canceled, while ferry routes, construction projects, and other transportation services were suspended. Shanghai and several surrounding provinces also activated emergency responses as the storm approached.
Typhoon Dolphin brought winds reaching approximately 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph) and large amounts of rainfall to eastern China. Shanghai and nearby regions experienced significant disruption, while meteorologists warned that some areas could receive 200–400 millimeters of rain over several days. The combination of heavy rainfall and already saturated ground increased the risks of flooding and landslides even as the typhoon weakened after making landfall.
The typhoon also demonstrated how extreme weather can affect millions of people beyond the immediate path of a storm. Transportation, businesses, construction, and daily life were disrupted across a large area. Later reports found that Dolphin’s remnants continued producing heavy rainfall farther inland. The storm therefore became an important reminder of the serious social and economic consequences that powerful tropical cyclones can create.
