Heavy rainfall spreads across eastern China as authorities warn Beijing and surrounding regions to prepare for flooding
SHANGHAI: Torrential rain from Typhoon Dolphin flooded streets across Shanghai and other parts of eastern China on Monday, disrupting transportation and forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights as the storm moved inland.
Dolphin made landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday evening with maximum sustained winds of 151 kilometres per hour near its centre before weakening into a tropical storm.
However, its extensive rain clouds continued soaking Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shandong and Shanghai on Monday.
Floodwater covered streets across Shanghai, including major commercial areas. State broadcaster CCTV reported that the city’s two airports cancelled 943 flights, cutting overall flight capacity by nearly 40 percent.
Meanwhile, China Eastern Airlines said it was working to restore services to Shanghai, Zhejiang and other affected destinations in an orderly manner.
Shanghai Neighbourhoods Remain Waterlogged
Several streets in Shanghai’s suburban Jiading and Qingpu districts remained flooded following overnight rainfall. Videos posted by residents showed people walking through knee-deep water, although Reuters could not independently verify the footage.
Authorities in Jinshan district allowed non-essential businesses and organisations to suspend operations temporarily as forecasters predicted additional rainfall and strong winds.
Furthermore, footage from Wenzhou in Zhejiang showed powerful winds overturning a truck during the storm.
Beijing Prepares for Flood Threat
Dolphin, described as China’s strongest typhoon this year, is forecast to move inland towards Hubei and Henan while pushing substantial moisture northward.
Consequently, Beijing authorities have raised torrential-rain warnings and prepared to activate flood-control measures on Tuesday.
Forecasters expect significant rainfall across Beijing from Tuesday through Thursday, increasing risks of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas.
CCTV reported that Dolphin travelled approximately 6,000 kilometres before reaching China, giving the storm an unusually long lifecycle.
Authorities also warned Tianjin and Hebei to prepare for persistent rainfall as Dolphin’s moisture encounters colder northern air.
