SHANGHAI — Shanghai's two airports cancelled 943 flights on Monday as Typhoon Dolphin's remnants brought torrential rain and flooding to the city and other parts of eastern China, disrupting air travel and other transport, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
The cancellations at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport reduced the city's air traffic capacity by nearly 40%, according to CCTV. China Eastern Airlines said it was working to resume flights to Shanghai, Zhejiang and other affected destinations in an orderly manner.
Dolphin made landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday evening with maximum sustained winds of about 151 kph before weakening into a tropical storm. Its remaining rain bands continued to affect eastern provinces including Anhui, Jiangsu and Shandong on Monday, according to Reuters.
Heavy rain flooded streets across Shanghai, including commercial areas, while authorities continued measures to manage the effects of the storm. The Shanghai government suspended non-essential services in the Jinshan district as severe weather persisted, Reuters reported.
The disruption followed wider precautions taken across eastern China as Dolphin approached. Authorities in affected areas relocated residents from vulnerable locations and suspended some transport services, with flooding and landslides among the principal hazards identified by officials.
The storm also affected transport beyond Shanghai. Ferry and other services were suspended in areas exposed to the storm, while rainfall spread inland as Dolphin weakened and moved away from the coast.
The National Meteorological Centre and local authorities continued to monitor rainfall and flooding risks as the storm system moved inland. Reuters reported that the system was expected to bring rain farther north, including to parts of central China.
China's response came after Dolphin had earlier affected Japan's Okinawa and other islands before moving toward the Chinese coast. Chinese authorities had raised weather alerts and implemented measures including port restrictions and transport suspensions ahead of its landfall.
By Monday, Dolphin had weakened significantly from typhoon strength, but its extensive rain-producing system continued to pose a risk of flooding in several provinces. Airlines and airports were gradually working to restore operations while passengers were advised to check updated flight information with carriers.
