Tokyo: Typhoon Dolphin has battered Japan’s southern Okinawa region with strong winds and heavy rain, leaving five people injured and cutting power to about 14,000 buildings as the storm moved toward the coast of eastern China.
The typhoon brought dangerous weather to Okinawa after strengthening over the western Pacific. Strong winds damaged property, disrupted transport and forced authorities to take emergency measures. Residents in several areas were advised to move to safer locations as officials warned about the risk of flooding, landslides and further damage.
Dolphin was moving northwest at around 15 kilometres per hour, carrying sustained winds of about 162 kilometres per hour. Gusts reached around 216 kilometres per hour as the storm passed through the region. Although the storm has weakened from its earlier strength, authorities continue to warn that it remains dangerous because of its wide wind field and the large amount of rain it is carrying.
Japan faced major disruption as the typhoon approached. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, while Naha Airport was temporarily closed. Ferry services were also affected, leaving many travellers unable to continue their journeys. Evacuation orders were issued in parts of Okinawa and Kagoshima as officials urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors where possible.
The attention has now turned toward China, where authorities are preparing for the typhoon to make landfall along the eastern coast. Dolphin is expected to reach the area between Zhoushan in Zhejiang province and Fuding in Fujian province between Sunday night and Monday.
Chinese authorities have taken a series of precautionary measures as the storm approaches. Zhejiang has raised its coastal typhoon warning to its highest level. Several ports have suspended operations and 162 ferry routes have been cancelled. Hundreds of ships have also been moved to safer locations to protect them from strong winds and dangerous waves.
Schools and tourist attractions in some areas have been closed as part of the preparations. In Ningbo, schools and other educational facilities have been closed for the weekend. Authorities have also warned residents to remain alert as the storm moves closer to the coast.
Heavy rain could become one of the biggest threats from Dolphin. Forecasts indicate that some parts of eastern China could receive between 200 and 400 millimetres of rain, while some areas could see even higher totals. Such rainfall could quickly overwhelm drainage systems and increase the risk of flash floods and landslides.
The storm is also affecting Taiwan. Northern parts of the island have experienced heavy rainfall, while flights and maritime services have faced disruption. The typhoon has also created a separate dispute after China issued instructions concerning vessels travelling through the Taiwan Strait during the storm.
Taiwan objected to the move and said China does not have the authority to impose such controls over international waters. Taiwan’s coast guard said it had not detected unusual activity by Chinese vessels and advised ships to report any attempts to enforce the instructions.
Dolphin has weakened as it has moved away from Japan, but officials are warning that this does not mean the danger has passed. Strong winds, high waves, intense rainfall and coastal flooding remain possible as the typhoon approaches eastern China.
For people living along the coast, authorities are urging caution and asking residents to follow evacuation instructions. Ports, transport services and other facilities are being closed in advance in an effort to reduce the risk to lives.
The coming days will be closely watched as Dolphin moves toward China. While the strongest winds may weaken before or after landfall, the storm could still bring widespread rain and flooding across parts of eastern China, creating difficult conditions for millions of people in the affected region.