Typhoon Dolphin floods Shanghai streets and disrupts air travel

On August 9, 2026, Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in Zhejiang province, China, bringing with it maximum sustained winds exceeding 90 mph. The storm caused torrential rain and severe flooding across several eastern provinces, including Shanghai, which is the second most populated city in the country. As a result of the storm, many streets in the suburban districts of Jiading and Qingpu were left waterlogged, with residents sharing live videos of people wading through knee-high murky water. The impact of the typhoon was significant, leading to the cancellation of 943 flights at Shanghai's two airports, which reduced air travel capacity by nearly 40% on August 10, 2026.

The storm's effects were felt beyond Shanghai, as the rain clouds continued to soak the eastern provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shandong. Authorities in Beijing raised warnings for torrential rain and prepared to activate flood control responses, indicating the storm's potential to affect a wider area. The typhoon had already traveled over 3,700 miles before making landfall, which is three times longer than the average life-cycle of a typical typhoon. This unusual duration contributed to the storm's extensive cloud system that enveloped eastern China.

Typhoon Dolphin is noted as the strongest typhoon to hit China in 2026, and its impact is being compared to that of Typhoon Doksuri, which caused record-breaking rainfall in Beijing earlier in the year. As the storm moves deeper inland, it is expected to affect the central provinces of Hubei and Henan, pushing moisture northward and potentially leading to further rainfall in major cities like Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. The situation remains dynamic, with authorities closely monitoring the storm's path and its implications for flood control measures.

In summary, Typhoon Dolphin has caused significant disruption and flooding in eastern China, particularly in Shanghai, where residents are grappling with the aftermath of the storm. The extensive travel disruptions and the potential for further rainfall in the coming days highlight the ongoing challenges posed by severe weather events in the region.