Typhoon Dolphin Forces Shanghai to Cancel Over 1,300 Flights

Typhoon Dolphin is moving towards eastern China, prompting Shanghai’s two major airports to cancel over 1,300 flights on Sunday.

Authorities have evacuated more than 4 million people from affected areas, citing the risk posed by the typhoon. The outer rim of the storm brought heavy rain to northern Taiwan on Saturday.

Some Taiwanese airlines have also cancelled flights to China on Sunday. By Sunday morning, the storm’s maximum sustained wind speed was estimated to be around 162 km/h.

Officials have warned of heavy rainfall and increased risk of flooding and landslides due to the storm. The typhoon is expected to reach Zhejiang province and the northern part of Fujian province by Sunday evening.

Weather forecasters have predicted 200-400 mm of rainfall in these areas over the next few days. Shanghai’s Hongqiao and Pudong airports have cancelled around 60% of their scheduled flights for Sunday.

By Saturday evening, nearly 390,000 people had been relocated from Taizhou city in Zhejiang province. More than 30,000 people have also been relocated from high-risk areas in Shanghai.

Zhejiang officials have suspended all ferry and cruise operations. Authorities have urged people to exercise high caution to avoid potential flooding and landslides.