China evacuates over 1 million people as Typhoon Dolphin storms in
The swirling storm, named Dolphin, slammed onto eastern China’s coast on Sunday, sparking a nationwide red alert as officials moved millions from homes to safe shelters. Over 900,000 residents were relocated in the Zhejiang province and more than 390,000 people were evacuated from Taizhou.
Travel was thrown into chaos – nearly 1,000 flights were cancelled in Shanghai alone, and the city’s popular tourist sites, including Disneyland, Legoland and the Bund, were closed to visitors.
Heavy rain poured across several provinces, causing some streets to flood up to ankle depth. Ground‑floor shops in Shanghai’s former French Concession were photoshopped with inundated water, and residents were seen wading through damp streets.
In Hangzhou, parking fees were waived for vehicles seeking shelter, while in Fujian maritime authorities shut dozens of passenger ferry routes due to strong winds. More than 7,000 people are sheltering at evacuation centres nationwide in the Philippines, where the storm has already caused fatalities.
The storm’s impact went beyond physical damage – misinformation spread rapidly online, leading to the detention of two individuals who produced fake videos and edited storm footage for misleading effect.
Despite the worst‑case scenarios, Chinese officials have not reported any confirmed casualties. A nine‑year‑old boy from Wenling, Zhejiang, is still missing after a tidal surge swept him from the coast.
Authorities urge residents to stay indoors and keep away from high‑risk areas, as the storm’s winds and rainfall are expected to continue through Wednesday.
