Typhoon ‘Dolphin’ batters Japan, injuring six:China shuts ports and cancels ferries ahead of landfall

Typhoon Dolphin has battered Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture, injuring six people and cutting power to more than 50,000 buildings, as authorities in China shut ports, suspended ferry services, and raised emergency measures ahead of the storm’s expected arrival on the country’s east coast. The typhoon brought maximum sustained winds of 162 kph (89.5 mph), with gusts reaching 216 kph, according to authorities. Five elderly people in Okinawa suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including three who fell because of the powerful winds. Another person was injured in Kagoshima prefecture, authorities said. Power cuts and flight cancellations in Japan The storm caused widespread disruption across Okinawa and Kagoshima. Nearly 39,000 buildings in Kagoshima were without electricity, while just over 12,000 in Okinawa were affected by power cuts. The main areas expected to be affected in Japan are Okinawa and Amami island in Kagoshima prefecture. Domestic carriers ANA (9202.T) and Japan Airlines (9201.T) cancelled flights to and from Okinawa as the typhoon swept through the region. China prepares for major impact Dolphin is expected to make landfall in China between late Sunday and early Monday, prompting authorities to step up preparations. China has classified the storm as an orange-category typhoon, the country’s second-highest warning level. Concerned about the potential for flooding and landslides, authorities also raised the emergency response level by one notch to Level III, the second-lowest level. China’s National Meteorological Center said the typhoon is most likely to make landfall between Zhoushan city in Zhejiang province and Fuding city in Fujian province. Winds near the centre of the storm are expected to reach 38–45 metres per second (85–101 mph). Forecasters have warned that rain and strong winds could affect eastern China through 12 August, including parts of Shanghai and neighbouring provinces. Some areas of eastern Zhejiang could receive more than 600mm (23.6 inches) of rain. Ports, ferries and airports suspend operations Authorities in Zhejiang raised the coastal typhoon alert to its highest level, halted port operations and suspended 162 passenger ferry routes. Fujian also suspended ferry services. Ningbo Lishe International Airport in Zhejiang said it would halt operations from 11.30pm (1530 GMT) on Saturday and suspend all flights on Sunday. Shanghai’s Yangshan port had been cleared of vessels by late Friday, while some rail services across the Yangtze River Delta are due to be suspended from Sunday. The measures reflect growing concerns over the storm’s potential to cause severe flooding, landslides and disruption across densely populated areas of eastern China. Taiwan cancels 78 international flights The typhoon has also disrupted travel in Taiwan, where 78 international flights were cancelled, according to the government. Heavy rain was expected in northern parts of the island over the weekend, although authorities had not ordered any evacuations as of Saturday.