Typhoon Dolphin may make landfall in China in first half of August

BEIJING, July 31 -- Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of 2026, could make landfall in China and affect the country between Aug. 1 and 15, the Ministry of Water Resources said on Friday.

Significant rises are forecast in rivers across the Pearl, Yangtze and Yellow river basins, the Taihu Lake region, parts of Yunnan, Zhejiang and Fujian, and northeast China.

Small and medium-sized rivers in areas hit by heavy rain could rise above warning levels, while the risk of mountain torrents remains high, according to the ministry.

A ministry official called for preparations based on worst-case scenarios, with the goals of preventing casualties, dam failures, breaches of major dikes and damage to critical infrastructure.

The ministry will strengthen rainfall and flood forecasting, mountain-torrent prevention, reservoir safety and dike patrols. It will also step up efforts to prevent urban waterlogging, safeguard check dams on the Loess Plateau and coordinate the operation of flood-control projects. ■