Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa, resulting in five non-life-threatening injuries among elderly residents, three of whom fell due to strong winds. The storm caused widespread power disruptions affecting approximately 14,000 buildings across Okinawa Island and Amami Island in Kagoshima prefecture. Multiple flight cancellations were reported across Japan, China, and Taiwan in response to the system’s approach.
The typhoon originated as a tropical depression on July 26 and underwent rapid intensification while crossing the Central Pacific Ocean at approximately 45 kilometres per hour. The system strengthened through successive stages, becoming a tropical storm, then a severe tropical storm, before finally developing into a typhoon and subsequently a very strong typhoon on July 28. At the time of impact on Okinawa, the system exhibited maximum sustained winds of 162 kilometres per hour with gusts reaching 216 kilometres per hour.
As Dolphin continued its trajectory toward the Asian mainland, Chinese authorities declared a level-three emergency response, the second lowest alert level. Forecasters predicted landfall along China’s eastern and southern coast between late Sunday and early Monday, with the most probable impact zone spanning from Zhoushan in Zhejiang province to Fuding in Fujian province. Eastern regions including Shanghai and neighbouring provinces faced anticipated heavy rainfall through August 12, with some areas of eastern Zhejiang potentially receiving more than 600 millimetres of precipitation.
In preparation for the typhoon’s arrival, Chinese coastal authorities implemented comprehensive precautionary measures. Zhejiang province elevated its coastal typhoon alert to maximum status, suspended 162 passenger ferry routes, and halted port operations. Ningbo suspended schools, educational facilities, and water-related activities, while Ningbo Lishe International Airport suspended operations beginning Saturday evening with all Sunday flights cancelled. Shanghai’s Yangshan port was cleared of vessels and certain rail services in the region were scheduled for suspension.
Taiwan cancelled 63 international flights in response to the approaching system, with heavy rain expected in northern portions of the island over the weekend. The government did not order evacuations as of Saturday. Additionally, China instructed vessels transiting the Taiwan Strait to comply with its traffic control measures, a directive that Taiwan’s government characterized as unwarranted and contrary to international law regarding access to international waters.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI