Typhoon Dolphin that is yet to land already sent downpours to Shanghai on Sunday, flooding low-lying areas and disrupting air and rail travel across eastern China.
Shanghai's meteorological service briefly raised its rainstorm warning for central districts to red, the highest level in China's four-tier alert system, before later lowering it to yellow, the second-lowest level.
The downpours led to waterlogging and traffic congestion in parts of the city. At a flooded intersection in Pudong, Shanghai's financial district, accumulated water that once reached knee high receded to around ankle level after emergency drainage.
Authorities warned motorists not to drive through flooded roads after some vehicles stalled in the water.
Shanghai's two major airports, Pudong and Hongqiao, planned to cancel a total of 1,384 arriving and departing flights on Sunday, nearly 60 percent of their scheduled services. Of the planned cancellations, 871 were at Pudong and 513 at Hongqiao.
Hangzhou airport in nearby Zhejiang Province canceled another 270 arrivals and departures, mainly those scheduled after midday, bringing the total cancellations at the three airports to more than 1,600.
Railway operators also announced temporary suspension of selected passenger services on several rail lines in eastern China from Sunday to Thursday, with the duration varying by route. Passengers were advised to check the latest service updates in advance.
Typhoon Dolphin floods parts of Shanghai, disrupts travel
