Typhoon Dolphin Smashes Okinawa, Heads for China! 🌀 Power Outages & Injuries Reported
Typhoon Dolphin Smashes Okinawa, Heads for China! 🌀 Power Outages & Injuries Reported
Typhoon Dolphin unleashes fury on Japan's Okinawa, knocking out power to thousands and injuring five. Now, China braces for impact as airports cancel flights and ports shut down. Stay informed!
Typhoon Dolphin has unleashed its destructive power on Japan's Okinawa island, leaving a trail of widespread disruption and injury before setting its sights on China's eastern coast. The "very strong" typhoon, as categorized by the Japan Meteorological Agency, first made its presence felt on Saturday with maximum wind speeds reaching a staggering 162 km/h (101 mph).
The immediate aftermath saw power cut to at least 44,000 buildings across Okinawa, plunging thousands into darkness. The storm's fierce winds also led to at least five elderly individuals sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, with three reportedly falling due to the intense gusts. The island's main air hub, Naha International Airport, was forced to close on Friday as the storm approached, leading to numerous flight cancellations by domestic airlines like ANA and Japan Airlines, stranding travelers.
Reports from Nago City in Okinawa paint a vivid picture of the typhoon's force, with numerous trees toppled by the strong winds. In one incident, an overturned car was discovered leaking oil in a parking lot, highlighting the dangerous conditions. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued stern warnings of high waves, storm surges, and potential lightning strikes, urging residents to remain vigilant.
As Dolphin moves away from Japan, authorities in China are now on high alert, preparing for its anticipated landfall late Sunday or early Monday. Across China's eastern coast, preemptive measures are being taken, including the closure of ports and schools to minimize risk. In a significant move, Shanghai's Hongqiao and Pudong airports have cancelled approximately 1,300 flights, accounting for about 60% of Sunday's scheduled services, as the megalopolis braces for the typhoon's arrival. The scale of these preparations underscores the potential severity of Typhoon Dolphin's impact on China.
