SHANGHAI, China – Typhoon Dolphin has brought severe weather to eastern China, prompting Shanghai to issue its highest-level red rainstorm warning and triggering widespread disruptions to air, rail and public transport, August 9. Shanghai raised its heavy-rain warning to red at 10:30 a.m., with some parts of the inner city forecast to receive more than 220 millimeters of rain within six hours. Authorities moved quickly to reduce transport services as the storm approached.
From 3 p.m., three Shanghai Metro lines — Lines 5 and 16 and the Pujiang Line — were suspended. Other elevated and above-ground services continued at reduced speeds as a precaution.
The city’s Pudong and Hongqiao international airports also faced major disruption, with around 1,300 flights cancelled on Sunday, representing roughly 60% of scheduled air traffic. Rail services were also reduced, with some trains suspended on August 9 and 10 and further adjustments planned depending on weather conditions. In Ningbo, Zhejiang province, authorities suspended the city’s public bus network and metro system from August 9 as the typhoon threatened the region.
The storm has also prompted large-scale precautionary measures elsewhere along China’s eastern coast, including evacuations and the suspension of water transport. Authorities are warning of torrential rain, strong winds, flooding and landslide risks. For travellers, the disruption is expected to continue while authorities assess conditions. Passengers travelling through Shanghai, Zhejiang or surrounding areas should check directly with airlines and transport operators before setting out.
Thailand is not expected to be directly affected by Typhoon Dolphin, according to the Thai Meteorological Department, although Thailand remains under the influence of its normal southwest monsoon pattern and some areas can still experience heavy rain.
