BEIJING — More than one million people have been evacuated from their homes in eastern China as powerful Typhoon Dolphin struck the region, disrupting transport and prompting authorities to issue warnings of severe flooding and landslides.
The typhoon made landfall in Yuhuan, in Zhejiang province, at around 5:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, bringing maximum winds of about 150 km/h (94 mph), according to meteorological authorities. It made a second landfall roughly an hour later near Wenzhou.
The storm caused widespread disruption to transportation. Around 1,400 flights were cancelled in Shanghai alone, while other transport services across the region were also affected.
Chinese authorities had earlier issued their highest-level red alert for the typhoon. By Monday morning, however, Dolphin had weakened to a tropical storm as it moved further inland.
Despite the weakening, authorities warned that the storm could continue to bring torrential rain, severe flooding and landslides through Wednesday.
Heavy rainfall was forecast across several provinces, including Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, as well as Shanghai.
Officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. Several major tourist attractions were also closed, including parts of Disneyland and Legoland, along with viewing platforms along Shanghai’s Bund waterfront.
Authorities continue to monitor the storm as heavy rain and flooding pose risks to communities across eastern China.
