Beijing: Shanghai's two airports cancelled more than 1,300 flights and authorities relocated hundreds of thousands of people in surrounding regions as China prepared for Typhoon Dolphin, after the storm brought heavy rains to northern Taiwan.
The outer bands of the storm hit northern Taiwan, including the capital Taipei, on Saturday, bringing heavy rain. Some Taiwanese airlines also cancelled flights to China on Sunday.
The storm's maximum sustained winds were estimated at about 162 kilometres per hour as of Sunday morning. It is bringing heavy rain, creating a risk of severe flooding and landslides, and is expected to hit Zhejiang province and northern parts of neighbouring Fujian province late Sunday.
Forecasters in China predicted that some areas could receive 200–400 mm (7.9–15.7 inches) of rainfall over the next few days. Authorities have warned of a severe risk of landslides in Zhejiang.
Shanghai's Hongqiao and Pudong airports each cancelled about 60 per cent of Sunday's expected flights, according to The Paper, Shanghai's state media.
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On Saturday evening, authorities in Zhejiang evacuated some 390,000 people in the city of Taizhou. Authorities in Shanghai evacuated more than 30,000 people from higher-risk areas.
Zhejiang authorities also suspended all water-based activities, including ferries and cruises.
