China has issued multiple weather and geological disaster alerts as heavy rainfall linked to Typhoon Dolphin continues to affect several parts of the country raising concerns over flooding, waterlogging and landslides.
The National Meteorological Center issued an orange alert for heavy rain, along with blue alerts for severe convective weather and the typhoon, on August 11.
The heaviest rainfall was forecast in parts of Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu and Hubei provinces. Some areas of Shandong and Henan were expected to receive between 250 and 350 millimetres of rain.
As of Tuesday morning, Typhoon Dolphin was centred near Huanggang in Hubei province. The storm was moving west northwest at around 15 kilometres per hour and was gradually weakening.
However, meteorological authorities warned that its interaction with an upper level trough could continue to produce widespread heavy rainfall. Despite the weakening of the tropical cyclone, prolonged rainfall could increase the risk of flash floods urban waterlogging and geological disasters.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and the China Meteorological Administration jointly issued an orange alert for meteorological risks associated with geological disasters.
Southwestern Beijing, central Hebei, most of Zhejiang, parts of Anhui and central Henan were identified as areas facing relatively high geological disaster risks.
Local authorities have been instructed to strengthen monitoring and prevention measures and follow emergency response plans.
Residents living near slopes, cliffs and waterways in areas under orange alerts have been advised to evacuate promptly to designated shelters if conditions become dangerous.
Authorities have also urged the public to remain vigilant as Typhoon Dolphin continues to influence weather conditions, stressing that the weakening of a tropical cyclone does not necessarily mean that its associated hazards have ended.