BEIJING — Ports and maritime activities along China's eastern coast were suspended or curtailed on Sunday as Typhoon Dolphin approached landfall, with authorities evacuating hundreds of thousands of people and warning of potentially severe flooding and landslides.
Dolphin, carrying maximum sustained winds of about 162 km/h (101 mph), was expected to make landfall late Sunday in Zhejiang province or nearby areas of northern Fujian, according to weather authorities. Forecasters said parts of the region could receive 200 to 400 mm of rain over the coming days.
Authorities in Zhejiang suspended water-based activities, including ferries and cruises, while ports moved vessels to safer locations. Ningbo, one of the province's largest port cities, had about 800 ships docked ahead of the storm, according to local authorities cited by state media.
In Shanghai, authorities at Yangshan port relocated more than 500 vessels to safety as the typhoon approached, Reuters reported. Shanghai also canceled more than 1,300 flights at Hongqiao and Pudong airports, with about 60% of scheduled flights at the two airports affected.
The storm's approach prompted a broad emergency response across eastern China. Zhejiang and Fujian activated Level III emergency responses, while Jiangsu and Anhui implemented Level IV responses, according to authorities. Geological disaster warnings were also issued as heavy rainfall raised the risk of landslides and mountain torrents.
In Taizhou, Zhejiang, authorities evacuated about 390,000 people from areas considered at risk, while Shanghai relocated more than 30,000 residents from vulnerable areas, according to state media reports cited by the Associated Press. Schools and tourist attractions were also closed in parts of the affected region.
Dolphin had earlier brought heavy rain to northern Taiwan, disrupting flights and other transport. The storm had also affected Japan's Okinawa, where six people were injured and power disruptions affected more than 50,000 buildings, Reuters reported.
Chinese authorities urged residents in areas under the highest flood, landslide and mountain-torrent warnings to evacuate and said emergency monitoring and preparedness measures would remain in place as Dolphin approached the coast.
