Typhoon Dolphin and its Impacts on China
The arrival of Typhoon Dolphin in China caused significant flooding in the eastern part of the country, leading to the preventive evacuation of over 1 million people. The storm hit the eastern coast on Sunday, August 9, with sustained winds of 151 km/h, primarily affecting the city of Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province, where about 900,000 people were evacuated.
In Shanghai, the country's second-most populous city, 215,000 people were moved to safe areas. Shanghai's city center recorded almost 313 millimeters of rain between Sunday morning and Monday, August 10, the highest 24-hour rainfall in over 150 years of records. Another meteorological station in the city recorded an even higher volume of rain, with almost 400 mm accumulated.
Why This Matters
The impact of Typhoon Dolphin is not limited to China. The tropical storm season in the region has been particularly intense, with many deaths and significant financial and material losses. Large areas of the country have been hit by heavy rains since early July, causing sudden flooding and damage to crops.
Concern over the impacts of Typhoon Dolphin also extends to the region's farmers, one of the country's most important agricultural areas, with the risk of flooding of crops and loss of rice and corn harvests. This could have significant implications for food security and the local economy.
The Science Behind Typhoon Dolphin
Typhoons are tropical storms that form over the warm oceans of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They are fueled by the energy released when warm water evaporates from the ocean surface into the atmosphere. Typhoon Dolphin formed in a context of favorable climate conditions, with warm waters and an adequate temperature gradient for its development.
The intensity of typhoons can be influenced by several factors, including sea surface temperature, atmospheric humidity, and the presence of wind shear. In the case of Typhoon Dolphin, the combination of these factors contributed to its intensification and the significant impacts it caused.
Broader Context
The tropical storm season in China has been particularly intense in recent years, with many events of heavy rainfall and flooding. This may be related to global climate change, which is altering atmospheric circulation patterns and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme events.
Typhoon Dolphin is not an isolated event. Before hitting China, it caused torrential rains in the Philippines, parts of northern Taiwan, and the Japanese island of Okinawa. This highlights the importance of a regional and international approach to risk management and disaster response.
What's Next
The impacts of Typhoon Dolphin are still being assessed, and it is likely that there will be a continued emergency response in the coming days. China and other affected countries will need to work together to provide humanitarian aid, restore damaged infrastructure, and support economic recovery.
Furthermore, it is essential that measures are taken to reduce vulnerability to extreme climate events, including the implementation of climate adaptation policies, improvement of flood defense infrastructure, and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.
Source / Reference
This article was based on information available at https://climainfo.org.br/2026/08/10/tufao-dolphin-forca-retirada-de-mais-de-1-milhao-de-pessoas-na-china/, published by ClimaInfo.