Japan is preparing for Typhoon Dolphin, which is moving across the Pacific toward the Okinawa Islands. The Japan Meteorological Agency describes it as a large and very strong storm, warning residents in vulnerable areas to prepare accordingly.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) stated that Typhoon Dolphin is a large and very powerful storm. It passed over the Ogasawara Islands, or Bonin Islands, the first area in Japan affected, on Tuesday. The JMA is closely monitoring the storm's path, expecting strong winds to continue over the Ogasawara Islands on Wednesday before approaching the Daito and Amami Islands on Thursday. The typhoon is likely to make landfall on Okinawa Island Friday morning. Authorities have issued warnings to residents in risk areas to prepare for severe weather conditions, including strong gusts, heavy rain, high waves, possible power outages, and evacuation if necessary.
According to weather tracking website Zoom Earth, at 05:00 GMT Tuesday (4 Aug), Typhoon Dolphin had maximum wind speeds of approximately 185 kilometers per hour, categorizing it as a "very powerful typhoon." It developed from a low-pressure area formed in the central Pacific Ocean on 26 July and intensified into a tropical storm, then a severe tropical storm, a typhoon, and at times reached super typhoon strength as it traveled thousands of kilometers across the ocean.
Okinawa Island, home to about 1.4 million people, has been advised by local authorities to reinforce homes, avoid coastal areas, prepare essential supplies, and be ready to evacuate if ordered. Many flights and ferry services may be affected by the adverse weather conditions.
Besides Japan, Typhoon Dolphin is expected to bring heavy rain, strong gusts, and high waves to northern and eastern Taiwan. Coastal areas in eastern and southeastern China are also likely to experience heavy rainfall.
The name "Dolphin" was submitted by Hong Kong and refers to the Chinese white dolphin, included in the list of tropical cyclone names by the World Meteorological Organization's Typhoon Committee. Names for storms in the northwest Pacific Ocean are related to animals, plants, and cultural elements from member countries.
Although they have different names, typhoons, hurricanes, and cyclones are all the same type of tropical cyclone, differing only by the region where they form. Typhoons occur in the northwest Pacific Ocean, hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean and eastern Pacific Ocean, and cyclones in the Indian Ocean and the southern Pacific Ocean.
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