Typhoon Dolphin lashed Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture, injuring five elderly people and cutting power to buildings according to the Japantimes. Three of the injured individuals suffered falls caused by strong winds, and all five sustained non-life-threatening injuries, as reported by the Okinawa Prefectural Government. The storm system packed maximum sustained winds of 162 kph (101 mph) with gusts reaching up to 216 kph.
Typhoon Dolphin Lashes Japan’s Okinawa
As the severe weather developed, the RTHK tracked the storm at about 160 kilometers northwest of Kume Island, moving northwest at 15 kph. Domestic carriers ANA and Japan Airlines cancelled flights to and from the region in response to the deteriorating conditions. Okinawa and Amami island in Kagoshima prefecture were identified as the main areas affected within Japan.
China Shuts Ports, Halts Transport and Closes Schools
Ahead of the storm’s expected arrival on the country’s east coast, Chinese authorities designated Typhoon Dolphin as an orange-category typhoon, representing the second-highest level. National authorities declared a level III emergency response, which is the second-lowest level. Zhejiang province raised its coastal typhoon alert to its highest level, halted port operations, suspended 162 passenger ferry routes, and halted some construction work while ordering fishing boats back to port.
According to the China National Meteorological Center, the typhoon is expected to make landfall between late Sunday and early Monday, most likely hitting between Zhoushan city in Zhejiang province and Fuding city in Fujian province with center winds of 38 to 45 meters per second (85 to 101 mph). Educational facilities and tourist sites across eastern China were shuttered, including schools in the major city of Ningbo, where all water-based activities, cruises, and ferries were also halted.
Airlines and transportation networks faced widespread disruptions. Ningbo Lishe International Airport announced it would halt operations starting at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and suspend all flights through Sunday. China Eastern Airlines cancelled flights in and out of the Zhejiang region, while Air China and China Southern Airlines issued free cancellation policies. Shanghai’s Yangshan port was cleared of vessels by late Friday, and select rail services in the Yangtze River Delta faced suspensions beginning Sunday.
Flooding Risks and Regional Fallout Across Taiwan
Forecasters warned that rain and strong winds will impact eastern China through August 12, affecting parts of Shanghai and neighboring provinces. Certain areas of eastern Zhejiang could receive more than 600 millimeters (23.6 inches) of rain, creating severe risks of flooding and landslides. Beijing authorities stated they are closely monitoring the storm’s path and preparing flood-control and evacuation plans.
In Asiaone, the government reported that 63 international flights were cancelled because of the typhoon. Heavy rain was anticipated in northern parts of the island over the weekend, although authorities had not ordered evacuations as of Saturday. Additionally, China ordered ships passing through the Taiwan Strait to heed its traffic control instructions. Taipei denounced the directive as ridiculous, stating that Beijing has no right to restrict access to international waters. Both Taipei and Washington reject Beijing’s territorial claims over democratically governed Taiwan and the strategic strait.
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- Typhoon Dolphin Hits Okinawa and Heads Toward China’s East Coast (time.news)
- Typhoon Dolphin Hits Okinawa and Kagoshima, Prompting Closures in China (world-today-journal.com)
