The strongest typhoon of the year hits China: more than 1 million people evacuated

More than 1 million people have been evacuated as the strongest typhoon of the year approaches China.

Typhoon Delphine made landfall on China's east coast on August 9. It was the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the country this year, bringing heavy rain and winds. Officials warned of the risk of flooding and landslides, Reuters reported.

According to China's meteorological agency, the typhoon made landfall near the city of Yuhuan in eastern Zhejiang province at about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The maximum sustained wind speed at the center of the typhoon reached 42 meters per second (151 kilometers per hour), equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Officials evacuated workers at sea and ordered ships to return to port. Controls have also been tightened at reservoirs, mountain rivers, landslide-prone areas, construction sites and tourist attractions.

**More than 1 million people evacuated**

Typhoon Dolphin has severely disrupted transport in eastern China. More than 1 million people have been evacuated from their homes. In Shanghai alone, at least 30,300 people have been evacuated to safe areas.

According to the VariFlight flight tracking service, about 1,500 flights have been canceled in the city.

**More than 900,000 people evacuated in Zhejiang province**

More than 900,000 residents have been evacuated to safe areas in the city of Wenzhou in neighboring Zhejiang province. More than 1,000 temporary shelters have been opened in the city.

In Fujian province, 98,900 people have been evacuated from dangerous areas. Authorities have raised the storm emergency level to Level III. Zhejiang, Shanghai and Jiangsu provinces have also declared Level III emergencies.

According to the Fujian Maritime Administration, 55 passenger ferry routes along the coast have been temporarily suspended. 115 offshore construction projects have also been suspended and 290 construction vessels have been moved to safer locations.

**Heavy rains expected to continue**

Meteorologists are predicting heavy rains in Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui and much of Jiangsu until August 10. Rainfall amounts of 250-500 millimeters may fall in central and eastern Zhejiang.

Wang Haiping, chief forecaster of the China National Meteorological Center, said that Typhoon Dolphin will move westward after making landfall. It is expected to slow down and gradually weaken over central and southwestern China.

However, the slowdown of the typhoon could lead to prolonged heavy rains. The risk of flooding and landslides is particularly high in mountainous areas and along small rivers.

According to the Ministry of Water Resources, the water levels of the Qiantang, Yun, Jiao and Shuiyang rivers are likely to rise sharply. Small rivers in the most affected areas are also likely to exceed the danger level.

Officials have warned that some areas in Zhejiang are at high risk of geological disasters. Residents in areas under a red alert for mountain floods have been urged to follow local evacuation instructions.