5Upper IntermediateExamEnvironment

Typhoon Dolphin Forces Mass Evacuation Across Eastern China

Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful storm to hit China this year, struck the eastern coast with winds of 151 kilometres per hour. More than one million people were evacuated as authorities worked to protect citizens from severe flooding and landslides.

2 min readLevel 5August 11, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

evacuated

/ɪˈvækjueɪtɪd/

verb

Moved people away from a dangerous place to somewhere safe

“The government evacuated thousands of families before the storm arrived.”

landfall

/ˈlændfɔːl/

noun

The moment when a storm moves from the sea onto land

“The hurricane made landfall on the southern coast early in the morning.”

torrential

/tɒˈrenʃəl/

adjective

Describes rain that falls very heavily and in large amounts

“The torrential rain caused rivers to rise above safe levels.”

relocated

/ˌriːləʊˈkeɪtɪd/

verb

Moved to a different place, often for safety or practical reasons

“The families were relocated to temporary shelters near the city centre.”

prolong

/prəˈlɒŋ/

verb

To make something last longer than expected or usual

“The change in wind direction could prolong the heavy rainfall by several days.”

consequences

/ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz/

noun

The results or effects of an action or event, often negative

“Poor planning can lead to serious consequences during natural disasters.”

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on China's eastern coast on Sunday evening. It was the most powerful tropical storm to hit China this year. The typhoon struck near Yuhuan in Zhejiang province with strong winds. Authorities reported that winds reached 151 kilometres per hour at landfall. The storm brought heavy rain and raised serious concerns about flooding.

More than one million people were evacuated from their homes. In Zhejiang province, the city of Wenzhou relocated over 900,000 residents. More than 1,000 emergency shelters were opened across the region. Shanghai evacuated at least 30,000 people from areas at risk. About 1,500 flights were also cancelled in Shanghai alone.

Forecasters warned that heavy rain could continue for several days. Parts of Zhejiang were expected to receive up to 500 millimetres of rain. The slow movement of the storm could prolong the danger significantly. Authorities warned of possible landslides, especially in mountainous areas. Several major rivers were at risk of serious flooding as well.

The typhoon had already passed through Japan's Okinawa before reaching China. It had travelled approximately 6,000 kilometres during its long journey. Experts said this typhoon season would be one of the most active. If governments did not invest in disaster preparation, the consequences would be severe. This event demonstrates why emergency planning is essential for coastal nations.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
How many people were evacuated across eastern China due to Typhoon Dolphin?
2
What was the wind speed of Typhoon Dolphin when it made landfall?
3
Which city in Zhejiang province relocated over 900,000 residents?
4
What country did Typhoon Dolphin pass through before reaching China?
5
Why did forecasters say the slow movement of the storm was dangerous?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
According to the article, where exactly did Typhoon Dolphin make landfall in China?
2
What evidence does the article provide to show the scale of the evacuation effort?
3
The author suggests that the slow movement of the storm increased the danger. Why would this be the case?
4
According to the passage, what other country was affected by Typhoon Dolphin before it reached China?
5
How does the article support the claim that this typhoon season is particularly severe?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
If your city were at risk of a major storm, what preparations would you consider most important?
2
Do you think governments should spend more money on disaster prevention or disaster response? Why?
3
How do you think climate change might affect the frequency of extreme weather events in the future?
4
In your opinion, what role should ordinary citizens play in preparing for natural disasters?
5
Would you feel safe living in a coastal city that experiences regular typhoons? Explain your reasoning.

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Vocabulary

evacuated

landfall

torrential

relocated

prolong

consequences

Article

Comprehension Quiz

Discussion

Further Discussion

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