Typhoon Dolphin Batters Central China, Beijing Braces for Record Rain

Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful storm to hit China this year, has pushed deep into the central province of Hubei, bringing severe flooding, forcing tourist site closures, and halting construction. The storm, which traveled nearly 6,000 kilometers before making landfall, continues to impact a vast region.

In Xiangyang, streets were submerged as residents waded through water, and some vehicles struggled to navigate flooded crossroads. A 60-year-old resident expressed concern that the rising water could reach her apartment complex, noting the area's susceptibility to flooding. Authorities deployed workers to clear drains and stationed drainage trucks on vulnerable highways.

The National Meteorological Center has issued an orange alert, the second-highest warning level, predicting up to 250 mm of rain in Hubei within 24 hours. Water levels at 35 reservoirs in Xiangyang have exceeded safety thresholds, leading to the evacuation of nearly 10,000 people. The province has closed scenic areas, including the Three Gorges Dam tourist site, and suspended 26 high-risk highway and waterway construction projects.

The storm's influence extends over 1,000 kilometers north to Beijing, where four districts have activated the highest level of flood response. The capital is expected to receive more than one-third of its annual rainfall in a single day. In neighboring Henan province, a red flash-flood alert is in effect, with forecasts of up to 350 mm of rain.

Hubei, a major manufacturing hub, is still recovering from tornadoes last month that killed at least 11 people. Meanwhile, Japan, already hit by Dolphin, is preparing for another typhoon, Chan-hom, which could cross its mainland.