Typhoon Dolphin Spurs Flood Warnings and Closure of Tourist Sites in Hubei

In central China’s Hubei province, Typhoon Dolphin has moved inland, leading to significant disruptions. The storm, the strongest to impact China this year, traveled over 3,700 miles before reaching the eastern coast over the weekend. It has prompted the closure of tourist destinations and halted construction projects as authorities prepare for severe weather.

Hubei, renowned for its automotive and high-tech electronics industries, has a population exceeding 58 million. Recently, the province faced two rare tornadoes following Typhoon Maysak, which resulted in at least 11 fatalities.

The National Meteorological Center issued an orange alert on Tuesday, signaling heavy rainfall warnings. Northwestern Hubei may receive up to 9.8 inches of rain in 24 hours. Local government has placed a yellow warning on cities like Xiangyang, Huanggang, and Suizhou due to high risks of flooding and landslides.

The influx of rain led to the temporary closure of attractions, such as the Three Gorges Dam tourist spot in Yichang. High-risk construction activities have been suspended, affecting 26 of the 107 ongoing projects in the province.

Wang Xiaoling, the deputy director of Hubei’s meteorological observatory, noted that the storm’s airflow would worsen when confronting the region’s mountains, increasing rainfall intensity. Neighboring Henan has also issued a red flash-flood alert as the storm pushes moisture northward.

The effects of Typhoon Dolphin extend as far as Beijing, located over 600 miles north of Hubei. Four districts near the capital initiated Level I emergency flood responses, anticipating possible heavy rain. This rain could represent more than a third of the annual total within 24 hours.

Japan, too, is bracing for potential impacts from Typhoon Chan-hom. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of possible landslides, flooding, and strong winds as the storm approaches the country’s mainland.