Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on China's eastern coast on Aug. 9, 2024, triggering the nation's highest-level red weather alert [2], [3].
The storm represents a significant threat to coastal infrastructure and human life due to the risk of landslides and severe flooding. Authorities prioritized mass evacuations to mitigate casualties from the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit China this year [1].
Chinese emergency officials and the national weather authority coordinated the response across the eastern coastline, specifically targeting the provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang [1], [2]. The red alert signaled the most severe warning level available to the national observatory [3].
Government records indicate that more than one million people were evacuated from high-risk areas [1]. The storm's arrival caused widespread disruption to transportation, including the suspension of numerous flights and ferry services—operations that remained halted as the storm moved inland [1], [3].
The weather system brought powerful winds and torrential rain to the region [1], [3]. Emergency officials said that the high volume of precipitation increased the likelihood of flash floods and mudslides in mountainous coastal terrain [1], [3].
Coastal operations were largely paralyzed as the storm hit. The national observatory continued to monitor the trajectory of the cyclone to determine when it would be safe for displaced residents to return to their homes [2], [3].
“More than one million people were evacuated from high-risk areas.”
The scale of the evacuation and the issuance of a red alert underscore the increasing volatility of tropical cyclones affecting East Asia. By mobilizing over a million people, China is utilizing a high-capacity state response to manage the risks of landslides and floods, which often cause more fatalities than wind damage in the Fujian and Zhejiang provinces.
