- Typhoon Dolphin lashed Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, injuring five people and cutting power to 14,000 buildings, while China shut ports and ferry routes ahead of the storm's expected arrival on its east coast.
- The storm was about 160 km (99 miles) northwest of Kume Island in Okinawa as of 0300 GMT, moving northwest at 15 kph (9 mph), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
- Domestic airlines, ANA and Japan Airlines, cancelled flights to the region.
- China raised its coastal typhoon alert to its highest level, halted port operations and suspended 162 passenger ferry routes.
- In Taiwan, 63 international flights were cancelled because of the typhoon, and heavy rain was expected in northern parts of the island over the weekend.
- China has ordered that, due to the typhoon, ships passing through the Taiwan Strait must heed its traffic control instructions — measures that Taipei called 'ridiculous'.
Typhoon Dolphin lashed Japan's Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, injuring five elderly individuals and cutting power to 14,000 buildings. The Okinawan government reported that three of the injured fell due to strong winds. The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 162 kph (89.5 mph) and gusts exceeding 216 kph, was located about 160 km (99 miles) northwest of Kume Island, moving northwest at 15 kph (9 mph).12
In response to the impending threat, China has shut down ports and ferry routes, anticipating the typhoon's landfall along its eastern and southern coast between late Sunday and early Monday. The China National Meteorological Centre warned of winds reaching 38-45 metres per second (85-101 mph) near the storm's center, with some areas in eastern Zhejiang expected to receive over 600 mm (23.6 inches) of rain.46
Zhejiang province raised its coastal typhoon alert to the highest level, halting port operations and suspending 162 passenger ferry routes. Ningbo Lishe International Airport announced it would cease operations from 11:30 p.m. (1530 GMT) on Saturday, with all flights suspended on Sunday. In Taiwan, 63 international flights were cancelled due to the typhoon, although authorities had not ordered evacuations as of Saturday.5
The situation has escalated tensions, as China has mandated that ships passing through the Taiwan Strait adhere to its traffic control instructions, a move Taiwan has labeled as "ridiculous," asserting that Beijing has no authority to restrict access to international waters.
“The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 162 kph and gusts to 216 kph, is expected to make landfall between Zhoushan and Fuding late Sunday or early Monday. Zhejiang raised its coastal alert to the highest level, suspending 162 ferry routes, while Taiwan cancelled 63 international flights.”
