Typhoon Dolphin Hits Okinawa, Threatens Eastern China

Severe weather conditions slammed Japan's southern archipelagos over the weekend as Typhoon Dolphin swept across Okinawa, knocking out electricity to thousands of households and leaving several residents injured. Maritime authorities in neighboring China have already halted port activity and ferry transport in anticipation of the storm reaching their eastern coastline.

According to Japan's weather agency, the powerful storm system tracked northwest from Kume Island at roughly 15 kilometers per hour. High winds reaching peak gusts of 216 kilometers per hour battered local infrastructure, prompting major domestic carriers like All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines to ground scheduled regional flights.

Local emergency responders in Okinawa reported minor injuries to five senior citizens, including three individuals who were knocked down by forceful gusts. Utility disruptions left around 14,000 properties without power across affected zones, which primarily included Okinawa and the nearby Amami islands in Kagoshima prefecture.

Meanwhile, coastal regions in eastern China are bracing for impact as meteorological officials predict landfall between late Sunday and early Monday. Maritime transport links between Zhejiang and Fujian provinces have been suspended as precautions intensify.

Forecasters expect the system to maintain formidable strength upon reaching Chinese shores, bringing sustained wind speeds ranging from 38 to 45 meters per second along its predicted path near Zhoushan and Fuding cities.