Tropical Storm Dolphin Batters Eastern China With Heavy Rain and Flooding

Tropical Storm Dolphin has brought torrential rain and widespread flooding to eastern China, days after slamming into the coast as a powerful typhoon. The storm, which has since weakened, is now moving northwest and is expected to dissipate, according to meteorological agencies.

In Zhejiang province, emergency crews have been working through the aftermath, clearing roads blocked by landslides and debris. In the city of Yueqing, rescuers searched for people trapped in flooded homes, while teams in other districts evacuated residents from waterlogged areas. Firefighters and forestry personnel were also seen removing uprooted trees and clearing broken branches from streets.

The storm made landfall on Sunday evening in Taizhou with winds of 151 kilometers per hour (93 mph). By Monday morning, its maximum sustained winds had dropped to 65 kph (40 mph), according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration. The China Meteorological Administration reported the storm was moving northwest at 15 to 20 kph (9 to 12 mph) and continuing to lose strength.

Ahead of the storm's arrival, authorities took precautionary measures, relocating more than 300,000 people. Shanghai's two airports also canceled over 1,300 flights to ensure safety.

In addition to its impact on China, Dolphin intensified seasonal monsoon rains in the Philippines, triggering floods and landslides there. Meanwhile, another system, Tropical Storm Chan-hom, is heading toward Japan's Pacific coast with winds of 83 kph (51 mph) and is forecast to strengthen slightly before making landfall on Tuesday or Wednesday.