Dolphin typhoon cancels 400 flights, cuts power to 50,000 in China

Hundreds of flights were cancelled on Monday as Typhoon Dolphin battered China’s eastern coast, dumping torrential rain that flooded roads and cut power in several provinces. The storm made landfall near Wenzhou in Zhejiang province late Sunday, bringing winds of up to 120 km/h and heavy downpours that left streets submerged and homes without electricity. Airlines including China Eastern and XiamenAir suspended operations at key airports like Shanghai Pudong and Ningbo, stranding thousands of passengers.

Typhoons are common in China’s southeast between May and October, but Dolphin arrived during the peak summer travel season when airports are busiest. The timing has amplified the disruption, with the holiday travel surge colliding with the storm’s impact. Local authorities had raised red alerts for flooding and landslides, warning residents in low-lying areas to stay indoors. The typhoon follows a pattern of increasingly intense storms in the region, linked to rising ocean temperatures driven by climate change.

More than 400 flights were scrapped by midday Monday, and delays stretched into the evening as crews worked to clear debris from runways. Train services in Zhejiang and Fujian were also suspended, adding to the gridlock. State media reported over 100,000 people had been evacuated from coastal towns ahead of the storm’s arrival. Power outages affected at least 50,000 households, though repairs were underway.

Officials expect conditions to improve by Tuesday, but the damage will linger. Airports are rescheduling flights and reopening terminals in stages. The storm’s economic toll is still unclear, but travel chaos during peak season will hurt tourism and supply chains. China’s meteorological agency has warned that stronger typhoons are likely in the coming years, pushing authorities to upgrade infrastructure and emergency plans. For now, stranded travellers are left waiting, while officials urge caution as floodwaters recede.