Typhoon Dolphin batters Japan's Okinawa before hitting eastern China, causing evacuations

Typhoon Dolphin, identified as the strongest storm of the year, made landfall on China's eastern coast on Sunday, August 9, 2026, near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province. The powerful tropical cyclone brought torrential rain, strong winds, and triggered widespread warnings for potential flooding and landslides across the region. Maximum sustained winds near the storm's center at landfall reached approximately 151 km/h (94 mph), equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane.

Before reaching China, Typhoon Dolphin battered Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, August 8, causing significant disruption. Six people sustained injuries, and over 50,000 buildings experienced power outages. Domestic airlines, including ANA and Japan Airlines, canceled flights to and from Okinawa.

In preparation for the typhoon's arrival, Chinese authorities initiated mass evacuations, relocating more than one million people, including over 900,000 residents in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. Shanghai alone saw approximately 1,500 flights canceled, and offshore workers were moved to safety while vessels were ordered back to port. Extensive checks were also implemented at reservoirs, mountain streams, and landslide-prone areas to mitigate potential dangers.