Typhoon Dolphin battered Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, leaving at least six people injured and cutting electricity to more than 50,000 buildings as the powerful storm moved west towards China.
The typhoon brought strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas to Okinawa, disrupting daily life and transport across the region. Flights and ferry services were affected, while authorities warned residents to remain indoors and take precautions against dangerous weather conditions.
The storm’s impact was felt particularly strongly across Okinawa, where power outages affected more than 50,000 buildings. Six people were reported injured as the typhoon swept through the prefecture. Emergency crews were working to assess damage and restore essential services as weather conditions allowed.
After passing through the Japanese islands, Dolphin continued towards China’s eastern coast. Chinese authorities moved quickly to prepare for its arrival, shutting ports and suspending ferry services in several areas. Coastal communities were placed on alert as forecasters warned of strong winds, intense rainfall and potentially dangerous flooding.
The threat to China escalated on Sunday as Dolphin approached the mainland. More than 1,600 flights were cancelled, while authorities ordered large-scale evacuations and suspended marine operations in affected areas.
According to the latest reports, Typhoon Dolphin subsequently made landfall near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province on Sunday. It was described as the strongest tropical cyclone to hit China in 2026 so far, bringing winds of up to around 151 kmph and heavy rainfall across parts of eastern China.
More than one million people were evacuated across Zhejiang, Fujian, Shanghai and Jiangsu as authorities prepared for flooding, landslides and other storm-related hazards. In Zhejiang alone, Wenzhou relocated more than 900,000 residents, while Fujian evacuated nearly 99,000 people.
Shanghai also took extensive precautions. Authorities cancelled around 1,500 flights, while the Yangshan port cleared vessels ahead of the storm. Emergency measures were activated across several provinces as officials warned that torrential rain could continue even after the typhoon moved inland.
The storm highlights the wider risks posed by increasingly disruptive tropical weather across East Asia during the summer season. For communities in its path, the immediate priorities remain protecting lives, restoring power and transport links, and preventing flooding and landslide-related casualties.
Authorities in both Japan and China have urged residents to follow official warnings and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve.
