Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful cyclone to hit China this year, made landfall with winds of 151 km/h, causing record rainfall in Shanghai and forcing over a million evacuations. It also affected Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Scientists link such extreme events to global warming.

Typhoon Dolphin: A Powerful Force of Nature Met with Human Resilience

Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful tropical cyclone to affect China in 2026, made landfall near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province on August 9, 2026, with maximum sustained winds of 151 km/h—equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane.

Despite the storm's intensity, proactive measures by authorities safeguarded over one million people, showcasing an exemplary commitment to public safety in the face of climate emergencies.

Mass Evacuations and Record Rainfall

According to international media reports, the city of Wenzhou relocated more than 900,000 people and opened over 1,500 emergency shelters. In Shanghai, authorities moved 215,600 residents from high-risk areas, while Fujian province evacuated 98,900 people.

Shanghai experienced a historic event: a weather station recorded 313 mm of rain in 24 hours—the highest in over 150 years of records. Although the phenomenon led to the hashtag 'Shanghai becomes the sea' trending on social media, rapid rescue operations kept the population safe.

Regional Impact Across Asia

Before reaching China, Dolphin swept through southern Okinawa Prefecture in Japan, leaving 6 injured and cutting power to over 50,000 buildings. In Taiwan, the storm suspended ferry services and canceled more than 180 flights.

In the Philippines, the typhoon intensified seasonal monsoon rains, flooding several areas in northern Luzon, including the Manila region, highlighting the interconnectedness of climate systems in the region.

The Global Warming Context

Typhoons are tropical cyclones that form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Scientists warn that global warming increases the likelihood of extreme weather events, including more powerful typhoons and heatwaves. Indeed, Dolphin also pushed Hong Kong to its highest recorded temperature: 36.9°C.

Despite the challenges posed by climate change, orange alerts and mass evacuation protocols demonstrate a hopeful path toward adaptation, risk mitigation, and effective protection of millions of lives against the whims of weather.

Sources: The Guardian and The Guardian