Typhoon Dolphin forces mass evacuation in Taizhou, Zhejiang

Typhoon Dolphin has forced the evacuation of over 390,000 people in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, as authorities raised the emergency response to the highest level on Saturday evening.

According to the National Meteorological Center, the typhoon is expected to make landfall between Zhoushan in Zhejiang and Fuding in Fujian province from Sunday night to Monday morning. Taizhou is bracing for torrential rain, major downpours, and localized extreme rainfall from Saturday through Tuesday.

The Taizhou government raised its typhoon emergency response to Level I at 6 pm on Saturday, the highest in China's four-tier emergency response system. Local authorities have ordered the suspension of work, school, businesses, transportation, and outdoor group activities, to ensure no deaths and minimal injuries.

A total of 3,815 fishing vessels have taken shelter in safe harbors, while all 18 passenger ferry routes were suspended.

The city also issued a public advisory on Saturday, urging residents to stay indoors, stock up on essentials, and cooperate with evacuation orders. Residents in hazardous structures such as old buildings, temporary shelters, and low-lying areas were asked to evacuate immediately. Emergency hotlines are available for those in distress.

The government has called on businesses and construction sites to reinforce facilities and secure hazardous materials to prevent secondary disasters. They also urged residents to look after the elderly, children, the disabled, and migrant workers in their communities.

The Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration has activated its highest-level typhoon response, CMG reported. All port operations were ceased, while all passenger ferry routes were suspended, and 193 maritime construction projects were halted. The administration also deployed 15 high-powered tugboats on standby for emergency response.

Maritime authorities in Shanghai and Fujian have activated Level II responses. Vessels under 3,000 gross tons in the Yangtze River estuary have been safely relocated, and multiple passenger ferry routes and maritime construction projects have been suspended in both regions.