Japan Assesses Damage from Typhoon Dolphin as China and Taiwan Brace for Incoming Storm
Japan is evaluating the damage caused by Typhoon Dolphin, which has resulted in six injuries and power disruptions, while China and Taiwan brace for the impending storm.
Typhoon Dolphin has resulted in six injuries and left over 50,000 buildings without power in Japan, prompting authorities throughout East Asia to enhance their preparations for the storm.
Japan is evaluating the impact of Typhoon Dolphin, which brought strong winds to Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures on Saturday, leading to power outages and the cancelation of flights by airlines.
Five elderly individuals in Okinawa suffered non-life-threatening injuries, with three of them falling due to the strong winds. Authorities reported an injury to another individual in Kagoshima.
The storm caused power outages for nearly 39,000 buildings in Kagoshima and over 12,000 in Okinawa. ANA and Japan Airlines have also canceled domestic flights linking Okinawa with other regions of Japan.
The typhoon exhibited sustained winds of up to 162 kilometers per hour, accompanied by powerful gusts that reached 216 kilometers per hour.
Okinawa and Amami Island in Kagoshima Prefecture are anticipated to stay as some of the regions most impacted as the storm progresses through the area.
China is making preparations for the impending storm, anticipated to arrive at its eastern coast between late Sunday and early Monday. Authorities have issued an orange typhoon warning for Dolphin, marking the country’s second-highest alert level.
China has elevated its emergency response level to III due to worries that heavy rainfall may lead to flooding and landslides.
The National Meteorological Center indicated that the storm may make landfall between Zhoushan in Zhejiang province and Fuding in Fujian province, with winds near its center anticipated to reach between 38 and 45 meters per second.
Forecasters predict that heavy rain and strong winds will impact eastern China, including Shanghai and surrounding provinces, until August 12. Areas in eastern Zhejiang may experience rainfall exceeding 600 millimeters.
Zhejiang authorities have activated their highest coastal typhoon alert, halted port operations, and canceled 162 passenger ferry services. Fujian has suspended ferry operations.
Ningbo Lishe International Airport announced that it will halt operations starting at 11:30 pm on Saturday and will cancel all flights planned for Sunday.
By Friday night, Shanghai’s Yangshan Port had been cleared of vessels, and some rail services across the Yangtze River Delta are anticipated to be suspended starting Sunday.
Taiwan has faced travel disruptions, resulting in the cancelation of 78 international flights due to the storm. Heavy rainfall is anticipated in northern regions; however, as of Saturday, no evacuations have been mandated.
China has instructed vessels traveling through the Taiwan Strait to adhere to traffic-control measures during the storm.
Taipei dismissed the directive as “ridiculous,” contending that Beijing lacks the authority to impose restrictions on navigation in international waters.
China asserts its sovereignty over Taiwan and has claimed authority over sections of the Taiwan Strait, whereas Taipei and Washington dispute Beijing’s territorial assertions.
