Typhoon Dolphin batters Japan's Okinawa before bearing down on China
Typhoon Dolphin has struck Japan's Okinawa island with maximum winds of 162 km/h, cutting power to 44,000 buildings before heading toward China's eastern coast.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Typhoon Dolphin hit Okinawa with maximum wind speeds reaching 162 km/h.
- At least 44,000 buildings suffered power outages across the affected areas.
- Five elderly residents sustained non-life-threatening injuries due to the storm.
- Chinese authorities halted port services, ferries, and flights ahead of landfall.
Typhoon Dolphin has battered the southwestern Japanese islands of Okinawa and Amami, leaving a trail of disruptions and cutting power to at least 44,000 buildings on Saturday. The Japan Meteorological Agency categorized the severe system as a 'very strong' typhoon, issuing strict warnings regarding high waves, dangerous storm surges, and frequent lightning strikes as winds peaked at 162 kilometers or 101 miles per hour.
Operational halts disrupted transportation as Naha International Airport closed ahead of the storm's arrival on Friday, resulting in the cancellation of all incoming and outgoing flights. According to the Okinawan prefectural government, five elderly individuals suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the severe weather, with three of them falling directly as a result of the violent winds.
Japan's national broadcaster NHK documented numerous reports of trees being knocked down by powerful gusts throughout Nago city in Okinawa, while a single car was discovered overturned with leaking oil inside a parking lot.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Typhoon season in the western Pacific typically spans from May through October, making storms common during this period. The current year is experiencing a strong El Nino phase, which experts note allows typhoons to intensify significantly. Out of roughly 25 cyclones reaching tropical storm strength regionally in an average year, about three typically make landfall in Japan, with select storms strengthening enough to earn typhoon classification much like Dolphin.
Looking ahead, Dolphin is projected to make landfall along China's eastern coast late on Sunday or early Monday morning. Local authorities have responded by closing schools and shutting down ports well in advance of the severe weather system's approach.
In Zhejiang province, Ningbo Lishe International Airport announced it would halt all operations starting at 23:30 local time on Saturday before suspending all flights throughout Sunday. Meanwhile, coastal typhoon alerts in Zhejiang reached their highest level alongside sweeping suspensions of port and ferry services.
Source: BBC Science & Environment
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment