Beijing Braces for Heavy Rain as Typhoon Dolphin Moves Inland

Published: 11 August 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

Beijing is preparing for an exceptional spell of rainfall as the remnants of Typhoon Dolphin move deeper into China, with forecasters warning that the capital could receive more than one-third of its average annual rainfall within just 24 hours.

The Beijing Meteorological Service has forecast cumulative rainfall of more than 150mm across much of the city from Tuesday evening through Thursday. Beijing receives an average of about 528mm of rain each year, with most precipitation normally arriving between June and September.

The approaching weather system has prompted authorities to close tourist attractions, suspend high-risk construction projects and strengthen flood-control measures, particularly in mountainous areas of the capital.

Four districts on Beijing’s outskirts have activated the highest level of emergency flood response. In Mentougou, a mountainous district in western Beijing, officials have issued the highest flood emergency alert and urged residents to remain indoors unless travel is essential.

Authorities have also warned people to stay away from rivers, streams and mountainous areas, where sudden flooding and landslides could pose a serious threat.

The latest warnings come after Dolphin caused widespread disruption across eastern China, where more than one million people were evacuated over the weekend as the powerful storm brought torrential rainfall, strong winds and concerns about flooding.

Wenzhou, a coastal city in Zhejiang province, reported that more than 900,000 people had been moved to safer locations and that more than 1,500 emergency shelters had been opened. In neighbouring Fujian province, nearly 99,000 people were also relocated from areas considered vulnerable to the storm.

Shanghai, China’s financial centre, moved more than 215,000 residents away from at-risk areas as heavy rainfall inundated parts of the city.

The storm’s impact was particularly severe in Shanghai, where one weather station recorded almost 313mm of rain during the 24 hours to Monday morning, the highest 24-hour rainfall recorded there in more than 150 years. Another station recorded close to 400mm.

The scale of the rainfall caused widespread flooding and major disruption to transport. Shanghai’s two airports cancelled more than 1,300 flights, while several public transport services and local train operations were suspended.

Although Dolphin weakened after making landfall, the enormous weather system continued carrying large quantities of moisture northwards. Its influence has extended far beyond China’s eastern coastline, bringing the threat of further heavy rainfall across central and northern provinces.

The storm travelled nearly 6,000km before making landfall and has been described as the strongest typhoon to hit China so far this year. Its unusually large cloud field has allowed significant amounts of moisture to spread inland even as the storm itself loses strength.

On Tuesday, Dolphin moved across Hubei province, a major industrial and manufacturing centre with a population of more than 58 million.

China’s National Meteorological Center renewed an orange alert for heavy rainfall, the country’s second-highest warning level. Northwestern parts of Hubei were forecast to receive as much as 250mm of rain over a 24-hour period.

Local authorities have issued additional warnings in cities including Xiangyang, Huanggang and Suizhou, citing increased risks of flash flooding and landslides.

The storm has also disrupted tourism and infrastructure projects in Hubei. Several scenic attractions have temporarily closed, including the popular Three Gorges Dam tourist area in Yichang.

Authorities have also suspended 26 high-risk construction projects out of 107 major highway and waterway projects operating across the province.

The decision reflects growing concerns that saturated ground, swollen rivers and unstable slopes could create dangerous conditions for workers and nearby communities.

Neighbouring Henan province has also issued flash-flood warnings as the weather system continues to channel moisture towards northern China.

Beijing is now at the centre of those concerns.

The capital’s geography means heavy rainfall can create particularly dangerous conditions in its surrounding mountainous districts, where rapid runoff can cause rivers and streams to rise quickly. Landslides and debris flows are also a significant concern following prolonged periods of rain.

Officials have therefore urged residents to avoid unnecessary journeys and to pay close attention to emergency warnings.

The scale of the expected rainfall is significant even by Beijing’s standards. More than 150mm in 24 hours would represent over 28% of the city’s average annual rainfall arriving within a single day.

The impact could be particularly serious if rainfall is concentrated in short periods, as intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems even when total rainfall figures appear manageable.

Dolphin’s passage has already demonstrated how quickly weather conditions can deteriorate.

In Shanghai, images and videos circulated online showing flooded streets and waterlogged public spaces. The hashtag “Shanghai turns into the sea” reportedly trended on Weibo as residents shared footage of the storm’s effects.

The storm has also affected areas beyond mainland China.

Hong Kong experienced exceptionally high temperatures as Dolphin interacted with regional weather conditions. The city recorded a temperature of 36.9C on Sunday, its highest temperature on record, with officials warning that extreme heat could continue.

Taiwan suspended ferry services and cancelled more than 180 flights as heavy rain and strong winds associated with the storm affected the island.

Earlier in its journey, Dolphin passed through Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture, where six people were injured and electricity supplies were disrupted for more than 50,000 buildings.

In the Philippines, the storm did not make landfall but intensified seasonal monsoon rainfall. Heavy rain caused flooding across parts of northern Luzon, including areas around the capital Manila.

The widespread impact of Dolphin has renewed attention on the risks posed by increasingly extreme weather systems in Asia.

Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is altering the behaviour and intensity of extreme weather events. Warmer oceans can provide additional energy and moisture to tropical storms, potentially contributing to heavier rainfall even when a storm weakens after reaching land.

However, the precise influence of climate change on any individual typhoon requires detailed scientific analysis, and researchers distinguish between the natural variability of individual storms and long-term changes in the climate system.

For people across China, the immediate concern is more practical: managing the water already falling from the sky.

Emergency services are preparing for flooding, landslides and transport disruption, while local governments are monitoring rivers, reservoirs and vulnerable communities.

The evacuations carried out in Zhejiang, Fujian and Shanghai over the weekend show the scale of China’s response to the storm. Moving hundreds of thousands of people away from danger is a major logistical operation, but authorities have prioritised precaution as rainfall forecasts have remained severe.

Beijing’s preparations are similarly focused on reducing exposure before the heaviest rain arrives.

The closure of tourist areas, restrictions on construction and emergency measures in mountainous districts are designed to keep people away from locations where flooding and landslides could become life-threatening.

The coming days will determine the full extent of Dolphin’s impact as the system continues moving inland.

Even though the typhoon has weakened from its peak strength, its ability to transport moisture over long distances means the danger has not disappeared. Heavy rain could continue across several provinces, with northern China now facing the possibility of intense downpours after the storm’s initial assault on the east.

For Beijing, the prospect of receiving more than 150mm of rain in a single day is an unusually serious warning.

Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors during the worst conditions and avoid mountains, rivers and other potentially hazardous locations.

With China already dealing with flooding, transport disruption and mass evacuations in several regions, the focus is now turning to whether Beijing and other northern provinces can withstand the next phase of the storm without widespread loss of life or major infrastructure damage.

The full consequences of Typhoon Dolphin may only become clear after the rainfall subsides, but its passage has already demonstrated the ability of a weakening tropical system to create serious hazards thousands of kilometres from where it first made landfall.

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