Shanghai braces for Typhoon Dolphin, keeps essential services running (2026-08-14)
Shanghai maintains electricity, safety, and grocery supply as Typhoon Dolphin approaches with heavy rain and strong winds.
Shanghai is bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Dolphin, which is expected to make landfall on the eastern Chinese coast, bringing with it heavy rain and strong winds. City authorities are focused on ensuring that basic services, including electricity, public safety, and grocery supply, continue to function normally despite the severe weather.
In the Jing'an District, residents contended with intense downpours and gusty winds. One local resident noted the severity of the rain, remarking that even their trousers were soaked through. Workers were seen taping off areas where trees had fallen, while traffic moved cautiously through the flooded streets. A waterfall was observed cascading off an overpass on Yan'an Road.
At Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, ground staff from Spring Airlines were working to secure aircraft by fastening them to the ground, a precaution against the powerful winds. Meanwhile, at the Shanghai Tower, a time-lapse captured the building's massive damper swinging to counteract the sway caused by the storm.
In the Jinshan District, strong winds damaged factory canopies and machinery. Emergency crews were dispatched to repair electricity cables and dismantle the damaged structures. Zhao Qing, team leader of the Young Workers' Cable Team at State Grid Shanghai Jinshan Power Supply Company, explained that they had proactively cut power from affected cables and initiated backup power generation, ensuring the area did not experience a loss of electricity.
In the Lujiazui area of Pudong District, electricity workers conducted remote-sensing examinations to identify faults. On-site engineer Chen Tao from State Grid Shanghai Pudong Power Supply Company pinpointed a fault point during the inspection.
Despite the storm's approach, residents in Huangpu District appeared calm. At the Zhenning Road Grocery Market, one shopper expressed confidence that supply would not be disrupted, seeing no need to stockpile. Another resident at a LinkChina supermarket said they were only buying enough for a day or two, questioning the point of purchasing large quantities. Markets remained stocked with a variety of products, and price boards were visible, indicating a steady supply of vegetables.