When Typhoon Dolphin slammed into China's eastern coast on Sunday, it wasn't just the year's most powerful storm—it was a stark reminder of how a warming planet is rewriting the rules of extreme weather. The cyclone's arrival forced over a million people from their homes, grounded thousands of flights, and put emergency services on high alert from Shanghai to Fujian. Main Developments Dolphin made landfall near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province at 5:30 p.m. local time (0930 GMT), packing maximum sustained winds of 42 meters per second (151 km/h)—equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane. The storm's arrival triggered widespread evacuations: more than 1 million people were moved to safety across the region, with Wenzhou alone relocating over 900,000 residents to more than 1,000 emergency shelters. Shanghai, the country's financial hub, evacuated at least 30,300 people and cancelled about 1,500 flights, according to flight-tracking data provider VariFlight. A 42-year-old tourist from Guangdong, surnamed Chen, found himself stranded after his family's Sunday flight was cancelled. They were rebooked for Monday night, though he admitted they weren't sure if that flight would depart either. Read also: ATIR slams FBR for mechanical appeals in tax dispute Transport disruptions extended beyond aviation. In Fujian province, authorities suspended 55 coastal passenger ferry routes, halted all 115 offshore construction projects, and moved 290 construction vessels to sheltered waters. The city's maritime safety administration also cleared Shanghai's Yangshan port, relocating more than 500 small and medium-sized vessels to safer areas. Background Dolphin's path began in the Pacific, where it swept through Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture, injuring six people and cutting power to more than 50,000 buildings. The storm is the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit China this year, arriving amid a season that scientists say is being intensified by global warming. Warmer ocean temperatures fuel stronger typhoons, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent—a trend that China's meteorological authorities have been closely monitoring. Before landfall, authorities had already moved offshore workers to safety, ordered vessels back to port, and increased checks at reservoirs, mountain streams, landslide-prone areas, construction sites, and tourist locations. These precautions reflect lessons learned from previous typhoons, which have caused devastating floods and landslides in China's eastern provinces. Why It Matters The stakes are high for the densely populated eastern seaboard, home to major cities, industrial hubs, and critical infrastructure. Torrential rain is forecast through August 10 across Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and much of Jiangsu. Some areas in central and eastern Zhejiang could see 250-500 mm (9.8-19.7 inches) of rain—enough to trigger catastrophic flooding and landslides, especially in mountainous terrain and along smaller rivers. The water resources ministry has already warned that the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao, and Shuiyang rivers could see major flooding, while smaller rivers in the hardest-hit areas might rise above warning levels. A red mountain-torrent warning is in effect for parts of Zhejiang, and residents are being told to follow local evacuation orders. The economic and human toll could be immense if the storm's slow westward track prolongs the downpour. What's Next After landfall, Dolphin is forecast to track westward before slowing over central and southwestern China, gradually losing strength, according to Wang Haiping, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Centre. However, that slowing could prolong heavy rain and elevate flood and landslide risks for days. Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Jiangsu have activated Level III emergency responses, with Fujian also raising its alert level, indicating that recovery and relief efforts will be a multi-day operation. For residents like Chen, the immediate concern is getting home. "To us Guangdong people, this typhoon is as ordinary as having a meal and feeling the wind," he said, downplaying the storm's intensity compared to southern China's norms. But for the millions evacuated, the uncertainty of when—or if—they can return safely remains an open question as the storm's remnants continue to unfold.