Typhoon Dolphin disrupts China travel as more than one million evacuated

More than one million people have been evacuated across eastern China as Typhoon Dolphin brought destructive winds, torrential rain, and widespread disruption to transport, with authorities warning that flooding and landslides could continue as the storm moves inland.

Dolphin made landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday with sustained winds of about 150km/h before weakening to a tropical storm. Shanghai was among the areas hit hardest by the resulting rainfall and flooding. Nearly 950 flights were cancelled at the city’s two main airports on Monday, according to Reuters, while public transport was also disrupted.

Wenzhou, one of Zhejiang’s largest cities, evacuated more than 900,000 residents, while other communities opened emergency shelters. Some tourist attractions and activities have been closed or restricted, while Shanghai Disneyland has remained open with weather-related changes.

The storm’s effects extend across the region. Heavy rain linked to Dolphin has affected the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan’s Okinawa island, while Hong Kong recorded an unusually high temperature as the system pushed warm air across the territory.

For international travellers, the disruption demonstrates why comprehensive travel insurance is particularly important during typhoon season. Flight cancellations, forced evacuations, and extended delays can create accommodation and transport costs, while injuries or illness following flooding can result in unexpected medical expenses.

Flooding also carries wider health risks, including injuries, contaminated water, infectious disease, and disruption to healthcare services, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Travellers should therefore check whether their policy covers natural disasters, emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation before departure.