Typhoon Dolphin Halts Ningbo Lishe International Airport and Cancels Flights, Trains Across Yangtze River Delta

Ningbo Lishe International Airport will stop all operations at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, canceling every Sunday flight as Typhoon Dolphin approaches China’s eastern coast. The closure will disrupt travel across the Yangtze River Delta, where airlines and rail operators are also cutting services.

The airport announced the shutdown in a WeChat post. The stoppage will remain in effect through Sunday, while multiple rail services are scheduled to suspend operations from August 9.

China Eastern Airlines canceled some flights serving Zhejiang. Air China and China Southern Airlines offered free cancellations for related flights, according to the transport disruption notices.

Flight-app data showed cancellations and delays already spreading through the region Saturday. Shanghai Pudong recorded 78 canceled departures and 317 delayed departures among 930 scheduled departures by 7:00 p.m., along with 123 canceled arrivals.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan recorded 72 cancellations Saturday, including 36 departures and 36 arrivals. The figures reflect flight-app data rather than a regionwide official tally.

The storm could reach the coast between Zhoushan in Zhejiang and Fuding in Fujian from late Sunday into early Monday. Shanghai’s Yangshan port has been cleared of vessels, and rail suspensions are expected to widen as the system nears land.

The disruption extends beyond airports. Zhejiang has suspended all 162 passenger ferry routes, while Fujian has suspended 19 routes north of Quanzhou. Authorities also ordered 474 construction vessels in Zhejiang back to port and halted all 115 offshore construction projects in Fujian.

Flights and ferries are stopping before the storm reaches shore

The transport measures combine fixed closures with cancellations that can change as weather conditions develop. The airport shutdown has a defined window, while individual airline schedules remain subject to further adjustments.

Port authorities have also moved to reduce exposure along the coast. Yangshan port was cleared of vessels, while Shanghai and nearby cities secured construction cranes and containers against strong winds.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters raised the emergency response for Zhejiang and Fujian to Level III on August 8. The response accompanies warnings about flooding, landslides and damage to infrastructure.

Forecasters expect a direct strike and heavier rain than Bavi

The storm is moving west-northwest toward China after passing through Japan’s Okinawa prefecture Saturday. Six people were injured there, and power was cut to more than 50,000 buildings.

It is the 13th typhoon of the year. The system is approaching during a record-breaking heatwave in East Asia, adding difficult conditions to emergency planning.

Xu Yinglong, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center, compared the system with Typhoon Bavi, which made landfall in China in July. He said areas in East China and elsewhere should prepare for high winds, rainstorms and secondary disasters.

"Compared with Typhoon Bavi, which made landfall in the country in July, Typhoon Dolphin may bring stronger winds and heavier rainfall. East China and other regions likely to be affected should give priority to typhoon response and take precautions against high winds, rainstorms and secondary disasters."

Lou Xiaofen, chief forecaster at the Zhejiang Meteorological Observatory, said the projected track presented a direct threat to the province.

"There is a high chance of the typhoon making direct landfall in Zhejiang. creating substantial disaster risks across this region."

Dong Lin, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center, said the storm’s long journey made its projected strength unusual. It formed west of the International Date Line before traveling toward China.

"Dolphin formed west of the International Date Line and has traveled a long distance toward China, and it is very rare for a storm following such a long track to make landfall in the country at this intensity."

The Ministry of Water Resources urged local authorities to plan around the most severe possible outcomes.

The ministry urged preparations "based on worst-case scenarios, with the goals of preventing casualties, dam failures, breaches of major dikes and damage to critical infrastructure."

Ningbo closes schools as flood and landslide alerts rise

Authorities in Ningbo ordered all schools, tutoring centers and outdoor educational facilities to close for the weekend. The closure adds local restrictions to the airport, rail and ferry suspensions.

Residents in low-lying areas and near rivers have been warned of a Red Alert for mountain torrents. An Orange Alert covers geological disasters, including landslides.

The storm’s projected arrival could bring further interruptions to ports, ferries, schools and other transport services. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters’ Level III response covers both Zhejiang and Fujian as the coastal threat develops.

The U.S. Embassy in China issued a weather alert on August 7. It advised citizens to avoid coastal areas and protect important documents, including passports.

Passengers holding flights or rail tickets during the warning period should check the operating carrier or rail operator before leaving. The airport closure begins Saturday night, while the broader landfall forecast extends into early Monday.