China activates emergency responses as Typhoon Dolphin approaches

BEIJING -- China on Saturday activated a Level-IV emergency response for flood and typhoon control in Jiangsu and Anhui as Typhoon Dolphin approaches, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the ministry maintained a Level-III response for flood and typhoon control in Zhejiang and Fujian, as well as a Level-IV response for flood control in Heilongjiang.

Working groups have been dispatched to Zhejiang and Fujian to assist and guide local flood and typhoon control efforts.

A joint consultation involving multiple government departments and provincial-level regions was held on Saturday to assess the typhoon's development and make further arrangements for prevention and response efforts.

Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of 2026, is forecast to make landfall along the coast between Zhejiang and northern Fujian from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning.

The typhoon is expected to bring strong winds and abundant moisture and affect a wide area. It may move slowly after landfall, bringing prolonged heavy rainfall and posing high risks of extreme weather and severe damage.

The headquarters' office on Saturday urged local authorities to evacuate all personnel working at sea, closely monitor high-risk areas, strengthen safety management at construction sites and other vulnerable locations, and ensure safety in the tourism and transport sectors.

It also called for strengthened flood control along rivers including the Huaihe River, preparations for the use of flood storage and detention areas, and the pre-positioning of emergency rescue forces to safeguard people's lives and property.

China has a four-tier emergency response system for flood control, with Level I being the most severe.