Typhoon Dolphin Injures Five and Cuts Power in Okinawa as China Prepares for Landfall
Typhoon Dolphin struck Okinawa on Saturday, injuring five people, cutting power to 14,000 buildings and prompting port closures and flight cancellations in Japan, Taiwan and China as the storm heads toward landfall on China's east coast. [4]
Typhoon Dolphin Lashes Okinawa
Typhoon Dolphin lashed Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture on Saturday, injuring five people and cutting power to 14,000 buildings. [4] Five elderly people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, with three falling due to the wind. [4] Domestic airlines ANA and Japan Airlines canceled flights to the region. [4] Okinawa and Amami island in Kagoshima Prefecture are the main areas expected to be affected in Japan. [4] The typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 162 kph with gusts reaching 216 kph. [4]
The storm brought strong winds that led directly to the reported injuries and power disruptions across the prefecture. [4] Authorities noted that the five injured individuals were all elderly residents, underscoring the vulnerability of certain populations during high-wind events. [4] Flight cancellations by major carriers disrupted travel plans for residents and visitors alike in the affected islands. [4] Power outages impacted 14,000 buildings, leaving households and businesses without electricity amid the ongoing storm conditions. [4] The combination of gusty winds and structural impacts highlighted the immediate challenges faced by local emergency services responding on Saturday. [4]
Storm Track and Forecast Strength
The storm was about 160 kilometers northwest of Kume Island in Okinawa as of noon, moving northwest at 15 kph. [4] The typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 162 kph with gusts reaching 216 kph. [4] The China National Meteorological Center said Typhoon Dolphin was expected to make landfall along China’s eastern and southern coast between late Sunday and early Monday, most likely between Zhoushan city in Zhejiang province and Fuding city in Fujian province. [4] It is expected to bring winds of 38-45 meters per second near its center. [4] Rain and strong winds are expected to affect eastern China through Aug. 12, including parts of Shanghai and neighboring provinces. [4] Some areas of eastern Zhejiang could receive more than 600 millimeters of rain, according to forecasters. [4]
The current position and movement indicate a steady northwestward progression that aligns with the anticipated landfall window. [4] Forecasters emphasized the potential for intense winds near the center upon arrival in China, which could compound risks in coastal zones. [4] The projected rainfall totals in eastern Zhejiang point to significant flooding potential in low-lying areas through the middle of the month. [4] Eastern China provinces including Shanghai are slated to experience the broader effects of rain and winds extending beyond the initial landfall period. [4]
Preparations and Disruptions in China
Zhejiang raised its coastal typhoon alert to its highest level, halted port operations and suspended 162 passenger ferry routes. [4] Ningbo Lishe International Airport in Zhejiang said it will halt operations from 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and suspend all flights on Sunday. [4] Shanghai’s Yangshan port had been cleared of vessels by late Friday, while some rail services in the Yangtze River Delta will be suspended from Sunday. [4] The China National Meteorological Center outlined the expected landfall parameters and associated hazards. [4]
Zhejiang’s decision to issue the top-level alert triggered widespread halts in maritime and aviation activities to mitigate risks ahead of the storm. [4] The suspension of 162 ferry routes directly affects passenger movement across key waterways in the province. [4] Clearing vessels from Shanghai’s Yangshan port by late Friday represents a proactive step to protect infrastructure and shipping interests. [4] Rail suspensions in the Yangtze River Delta from Sunday onward are intended to prevent disruptions and safety issues during the period of heavy rain and wind. [4] Airport closures at Ningbo Lishe International Airport beginning late Saturday evening extend through Sunday, aligning with the forecast timeline for the typhoon’s approach. [4]
Taiwan Affected by Rain and Flight Cancellations
In Taiwan, 63 international flights were canceled because of the typhoon. [4] Heavy rain was expected in northern parts of the island over the weekend, though authorities had not ordered evacuations as of Saturday. [4] China has ordered that, due to the typhoon, ships passing through the Taiwan Strait must heed its traffic control instructions — measures that Taipei denounced as “ridiculous,” saying that Beijing has no right to restrict access to international waters. [4] China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, also claims the strategic strait. [4] Both Taipei and Washington reject that claim. [4]
The cancellation of 63 international flights reflects the precautionary measures taken in response to the typhoon’s influence on regional air travel. [4] Forecast heavy rain in northern Taiwan over the weekend prompted monitoring but no immediate evacuation orders from local authorities. [4] The traffic control instructions issued by China for the Taiwan Strait drew sharp criticism from Taipei, which described the directives as overreaching. [4] The underlying territorial claims by China regarding Taiwan and the strait continue to shape the diplomatic exchange surrounding the storm response. [4]
U.S. Fire Weather and Thunderstorm Alerts
Red Flag Warnings cover the Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon, the Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, and the Kittitas Valley. [1] [2] [3] Breezy westerly winds through the Cascade gaps will likely overlap with low relative humidity and generate Red Flag conditions this afternoon through Saturday. [1] [2] [3] Poor to fair overnight RH recovery is anticipated Friday night. [1] [2] [3] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Northeastern Preble County, Southeastern Darke County, Northwestern Montgomery County and Miami County in west central Ohio until 1:15 a.m. EDT. [5] At 12:41 a.m. EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lewisburg, moving northeast at 35 mph with a hazard of 60 mph wind gusts. [5]
The Red Flag Warnings across multiple Oregon and Washington zones highlight the overlap of strong winds and dry conditions that elevate fire risk through Saturday. [1] [2] [3] The timing of these alerts extends from the current afternoon period into the following day, with limited overnight humidity recovery noted in forecasts. [1] [2] [3] In Ohio, the Severe Thunderstorm Warning focuses on specific west-central counties where radar indicated an active storm capable of producing damaging winds. [5] The storm’s northeastward movement at 35 mph underscores the rapid progression of the threat in those areas. [5]
What to watch next: The typhoon is expected to make landfall in China between late Sunday and early Monday, with continued rain and strong winds affecting eastern regions through Aug. 12, while U.S. alerts remain in effect through Saturday for fire weather and into early Sunday for the thunderstorm. [4] [1] [5]
