China issues highest red alert as typhoon Dolphin approaches eastern coast

· Environment CHNJPNTWN
This story has developed since this wire. Read the latest wire

China's National Meteorological Center issued a red typhoon alert on Sunday as Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th storm of 2026, bore down on the eastern coast with sustained winds of up to 162 km/h. Landfall is expected between Zhoushan in Zhejiang and Fuding in Fujian overnight Sunday into Monday.

Authorities evacuated roughly 500,000 people across the region, including about 390,000 in Taizhou alone. Nearly 1,400 flights were cancelled at Shanghai's two main airports, with a further 270 scrapped in Hangzhou. More than 200 ferry routes in Zhejiang and Fujian were suspended, and about 800 vessels docked for safety.

Dolphin swept through Okinawa over the weekend, injuring seven and cutting power to thousands of homes. In Taiwan, over 180 flights were cancelled and dozens of ferry services suspended. In Zhejiang, a nine-year-old boy was swept away by waves while his family ignored warnings to watch the surf.

Story development

  1. Beijing braces for year's heaviest rain as typhoon Dolphin pushes north
  2. Typhoon Dolphin death toll rises to 15 in Philippines as storm hits China coast
  3. China issues highest red alert as typhoon Dolphin approaches eastern coast

Covered by 34 outlets across 20 countries

Related stories