China Activates Highest Warning as Typhoon Dolphin Strikes Eastern Coast
China's national observatory issued a red alert after Typhoon Dolphin made landfall along the eastern coast on Sunday afternoon. The storm is expected to cause severe flooding and gale-force winds across multiple provinces through mid-August.
Key takeaways
- Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on August 9, 2026, between Zhejiang and Fujian provinces.
- China's national observatory issued its highest-level red alert and upgraded emergency response to Level II.
- Extreme wind gusts near the storm center are forecast to reach Force 15 to 16.
- The storm system is expected to persist through August 16, impacting the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region after its initial inland movement.
What Happened
Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on Sunday, August 9, 2026, striking China's eastern coastline between Sanmen in Zhejiang Province and Fuding in Fujian Province. In response, the National Meteorological Centre (NMC) issued a red alert, which represents the most severe level in the nation's typhoon warning system. The meteorological authority simultaneously elevated its emergency response for severe disasters from Level III to Level II.
Key Facts
- Landfall occurred on Sunday afternoon between Sanmen, Zhejiang and Fuding, Fujian.
- Wind speeds near the center of the storm are estimated to produce gusts between Force 15 and 16.
- The NMC issued a red alert, the highest warning level available in China.
- Heavy rainfall is forecast for Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, and several other provinces through August 12.
- Emergency response protocols were upgraded from Level III to Level II on August 9.
Why It Matters
The NMC has warned of a high-risk environment for secondary disasters due to the typhoon's intensity and prolonged duration. Chief forecaster Wang Haiping indicated that the storm's impact will extend well beyond the initial coastal contact. Coastal regions and the Yangtze River Estuary face winds ranging from Force 9 to 12, with gusts potentially reaching Force 14. Inland areas, including Zhejiang and Anhui, are under threat from mountain torrents, geological disasters, and urban waterlogging as the storm progresses.
What Happens Next
The NMC expects Typhoon Dolphin to move northwestward and gradually lose strength after moving inland. However, even as the storm weakens into a remnant vortex, heavy rains are projected to continue. By Wednesday, August 12, the system is expected to turn northward. From August 13 through August 16, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, northern Shandong, and Liaoning are forecast to experience heavy downpours and severe torrential rain as the system migrates.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
Related stories
SAFA Increases Financial Terms for Pitso Mosimane Following Initial Rejection
Ben Stokes Reverses ODI Retirement for England Series Against New Zealand
Spider-Man Stars Celebrate Private Surrey Wedding Following Secret Early 2026 Marriage
