Typhoon Dolphin, the strongest typhoon to hit China this year, advanced deeper inland into the central Chinese province of Hubei on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Authorities issued an orange alert—the second-highest warning level—for heavy rain, with northwestern Hubei expected to receive up to 250mm of rain within 24 hours.

Hubei, a major hub for automobile and high-tech electronics manufacturing and home to over 58 million people, was previously struck by two rare tornadoes last month following Typhoon Maysak, which resulted in at least 11 fatalities.

In response to the approaching storm, tourist areas including the popular Three Gorges Dam site in Yichang have been temporarily closed, and construction projects suspended. Hubei authorities also issued a yellow warning for cities such as Xiangyang, Huanggang, and Suizhou due to increased risks of flooding and landslides.

Wang Xiaoling, deputy director of Hubei's provincial meteorological observatory, explained to the local newspaper Hubei Daily that Dolphin's peripheral airflow is forced to rise upon encountering the mountains in western Hubei, intensifying rainfall several times over.

Meanwhile, Japan is preparing for potential landslides, flooding, and strong winds as the Japan Meteorological Agency warned that Typhoon No. 15, Chan-hom, could cross the Japanese mainland later on Tuesday.

Sources