Typhoon Dolphin Brings Flooding to Central China and Puts Beijing on High Alert

The remnants of Typhoon Dolphin are continuing to dump heavy rain across central China, causing flooding, disrupting transportation, and forcing authorities in Beijing to activate elevated flood-control measures. The storm, which made landfall on China’s eastern coast over the weekend, has traveled an unusually long distance and is now delivering intense precipitation far inland.National meteorological authorities have issued orange alerts for heavy rain, while several districts in and around the capital have raised their emergency response levels in anticipation of extreme downpours.Storm Path and Current StatusTyphoon Dolphin was the strongest typhoon to hit China so far in 2026. After forming far out in the Pacific and traveling nearly 6,000 kilometers, it made landfall in Zhejiang province with powerful winds and torrential rain. The storm caused significant disruption along the eastern seaboard, including the cancellation of hundreds of flights in Shanghai and the evacuation of more than one million people from coastal and low-lying areas.As the system moved inland and weakened, its expansive rain bands continued to produce widespread heavy precipitation. By Tuesday, the focus had shifted to central provinces, particularly Hubei, where streets flooded, scenic areas were temporarily closed, and high-risk construction projects were suspended. Reservoirs in some areas exceeded flood-control levels, prompting the relocation of thousands of residents.Heavy Rainfall and Flood RisksForecasts indicate that parts of Hubei and neighboring Henan could receive 250 to 300 millimeters of rain within a 24-hour period. The combination of residual tropical moisture and cooler air masses from the north is enhancing rainfall intensity across a wide region that includes Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Henan, Shandong, Hebei, and Beijing.In Beijing, the meteorological service is predicting significant rainfall from Tuesday evening through Thursday. Most parts of the city are expected to see more than 100 millimeters in six hours and over 150 millimeters in 24 hours. Several districts—including Tongzhou, Daxing, Fangshan, Mentougou, Huairou, and Fengtai—could experience totals exceeding 200 millimeters in a single day.Beijing’s average annual rainfall is about 528 millimeters. Receiving more than one-third of that amount in 24 hours would represent an extreme event and has prompted heightened preparedness.Emergency Measures in PlaceBeijing activated a Level II flood-control emergency response on Tuesday morning. Four outer districts raised their response to the highest Level I alert. In mountainous areas such as Mentougou, residents have been advised to stay indoors when possible and avoid rivers and hilly terrain due to the risk of flash floods and landslides.Across central China, local governments have closed tourist sites, halted vulnerable construction work, deployed drainage teams, and closely monitored river and reservoir levels. Authorities are urging the public to limit non-essential travel, avoid flooded roads and underpasses, and follow official updates.Broader ContextMeteorologists have highlighted Dolphin’s unusual longevity and the size of its cloud system. The storm retained significant moisture after its long ocean journey and landfall, allowing it to produce heavy rain well inland—similar to previous systems that have affected the Beijing region in past years.While the storm’s winds have diminished, the primary threat has shifted to prolonged and intense rainfall, which can lead to urban waterlogging, river overflows, and secondary disasters in mountainous areas.What Comes NextHeavy rain is expected to persist across parts of eastern and northern China over the next two to three days. The interaction of residual moisture with regional weather patterns could bring additional impacts to Hebei, Tianjin, and surrounding areas later in the week.So far, large-scale evacuations and early preparedness measures appear to have limited the number of reported casualties from the initial landfall phase. Attention remains focused on protecting densely populated inland areas and the capital region as the rain system continues its northward progression.Final ThoughtsTyphoon Dolphin’s inland advance has turned a coastal landfall into a multi-province flooding challenge. Central China is already dealing with flooded streets, closed attractions, and disrupted infrastructure, while Beijing braces for potentially record-setting rainfall in a short period.Coordinated emergency responses and public caution will be essential in the coming days. As the situation develops, official forecasts and local alerts remain the most reliable sources of guidance for those in affected regions.