China Issues Red Alert as Typhoon Dolphin Hits Eastern Coast

China's national observatory issued a red alert -- the highest level in the country's typhoon warning system as Typhoon Dolphin hit Zhejiang province on the eastern coast on Sunday afternoon. 

Typhoon Dolphin made landfall along the country's east coast from Sanmen in Zhejiang Province to Fuding in Fujian Province, the National Meteorological Centre (NMC) said. 

Wang Haiping, NMC chief forecaster, said a high alert was required due to the typhoon's heavy rainfall intensity, extensive



impact range and prolonged duration.

From Sunday to Wednesday, regions including northern Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, eastern Hubei, central and eastern Henan, and southern Shandong will be hit by heavy downpours, with some areas in central-eastern Zhejiang and southern Anhui facing severe torrential rain. 

Addressing key areas of prevention, Wang said the coastal areas of East China and the East China Sea need to focus on guarding against gale-force winds.