Beijing (China), August 10, 2026, BNN Web Staff: China has issued its highest-level weather warning as Typhoon Dolphin moves towards the country’s eastern coastline, with authorities forecasting powerful winds, torrential rain and a heightened risk of flooding and landslides.
The National Meteorological Centre (NMC) issued a red alert, the top category in China’s weather warning system, as the storm approached the provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall between Sunday evening and early Monday along the coast stretching from Sanmen in Zhejiang to Fuding in Fujian, according to the NMC.
NMC chief forecaster Wang Haiping urged residents and local authorities to remain on high alert, citing the storm’s intensity, wide area of impact and prolonged rainfall.
Heavy rain is expected from Sunday through Wednesday across parts of Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Henan and Shandong. Some areas of central and eastern Zhejiang and southern Anhui could receive exceptionally heavy rainfall.
Strong winds are also forecast along the East China Sea and surrounding coastal areas. The NMC said the East China Sea, Hangzhou Bay, the Zhejiang coast and the Yangtze River Estuary could experience winds reaching Force 9 to 12, with gusts of Force 11 to 14. Near the typhoon’s centre, gusts could reach Force 15 to 16.
Authorities have been warned about the possibility of secondary disasters caused by prolonged rainfall, including flash floods, mountain torrents, landslides and other geological hazards. Small and medium-sized rivers in parts of Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan and Hebei are also being closely monitored, while several cities face the risk of severe waterlogging.
Forecasters expect Dolphin to move northwest after making landfall and gradually weaken. However, the storm’s remnants could continue to bring significant rainfall further inland.
Wang cautioned that the storm’s effects would not end once it reaches land, as Dolphin is expected to continue moving inland after landfall.
From Thursday through Sunday, heavy rainfall is forecast in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, northern Shandong and Liaoning, with some areas potentially experiencing severe downpours.
Amid the approaching storm, China’s meteorological authorities also raised the emergency response level for major meteorological disasters from Level III to Level II, reflecting the seriousness of the weather threat.
