Typhoon Dolphin threatens eastern China amid active cyclone season

A powerful typhoon churning across the western Pacific is likely to threaten China's eastern coastline later this week, while forecasters warned that August will bring an active tropical cyclone season.

Typhoon Dolphin, the year's 13th named storm, is expected to move westward at 20 to 25 kilometers per hour and will not affect China's coastal waters before Thursday, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

Jia Xiaolong, deputy director of the National Climate Center, said the typhoon could make landfall around Sunday between the Yangtze River estuary and Zhejiang province, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Shanghai and provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Anhui.

An alternative scenario would see the storm turn north offshore on Aug 10 or 11 before making landfall, or brushing the coast, between the Yangtze River estuary and the Shandong Peninsula, potentially affecting Shanghai and provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong and Liaoning.

"The track will be highly uncertain after the typhoon moves into the East China Sea," Jia said, adding that the National Meteorological Center will continue issuing updated forecasts and warnings as the storm develops.

In July, five tropical cyclones formed over the western North Pacific and South China Sea, and three of them made landfall in China. Both figures exceeded the historical average for the month, Jia said.

The active pattern is expected to continue, Xiao Chan, deputy director of the National Meteorological Center, said.

Six to seven tropical cyclones are forecast to develop over the same region in August, above the long-term average of 5.6. Of those, two to three are expected to make landfall in China or greatly affect the country, close to the seasonal norm, he said.

Forecasters also expect one or two relatively strong typhoons to track northward into North and Northeast China, where they could produce widespread flooding even after weakening.

"As northward-moving typhoons interact with cold air and their outer rainbands expand, they can trigger extreme rainfall over large areas," Xiao said.

Such storms can bring multiple hazards, including urban flooding, river floods, landslides and, in isolated cases, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.

Local governments are urged to strengthen maritime safety measures, evacuate offshore workers when necessary, reinforce coastal infrastructure, improve urban drainage, and prepare evacuation plans for landslide-prone communities.

Meanwhile, much of China will continue to experience above-average temperatures this month, meteorologists said.

Most regions are expected to see higher-than-normal temperatures and more frequent hot days in August, with elevated risks of heat waves across most parts of the country.

Over the next 10 days, persistent heat is forecast across Northwest China, where temperatures in Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, could reach 40 to 45 C.

From Tuesday to Friday, temperatures of 35 to 37 C are expected across parts of Northeast China, with isolated areas reaching 38 to 40 C. Parts of Liaoning, Jilin and Shandong provinces could approach or break historical temperature records.

Meteorologists warned that high humidity across eastern and central China will make conditions feel significantly hotter, while residents in Xinjiang face intense sunshine and dry heat.

The public is advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, stay hydrated, use air conditioning when available and pay particular attention to vulnerable groups.