Typhoon Noul Forces Evacuation of 700,000 in Guangdong as It Brings Torrential Rain to Southern China
Typhoon Noul Strikes Southern China
Typhoon Noul made landfall on the coast of Huidong county at about 3:50 a.m. on Sunday. [4] The storm struck with maximum sustained winds near its centre reaching 45 metres per second. [5] It was the year's strongest typhoon in the region and the first typhoon to hit Guangdong this year. [5] China declared its highest alert for flash floods in several provinces as the year's 12th tropical cyclone forced the relocation of more than 700,000 people in Guangdong. [4] Noul is also China's third tropical cyclone this month. [4] The storm swept Guangdong and neighbouring Hong Kong with gale-force winds after landfall on Sunday. [4] It was expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to nearby provinces such as Jiangxi and Hunan as it moves inland. [4]
Hong Kong Issues No. 9 Signal
Hong Kong's Observatory issued the No. 8 signal at 10:10 p.m. on Saturday before upgrading it to No. 9 at 1:10 a.m. on Sunday as the storm closed in. [5] The signal was the first No. 9 issued since Super Typhoon Ragasa last September. [5] Noul came within 80 km of Hong Kong, making it the third-closest approach by a major storm this century after Saola at 40 km in 2023 and both Hato and Wipha at 60 km in 2017 and 2025. [5] Authorities downgraded the signal from No. 8 to No. 3 by afternoon after the storm passed within 80 km of the city overnight. [4] Violent winds rattled buildings throughout the night yet caused relatively minor damage in the city. [5] Southwesterly gales pounded parts of the Asian financial hub while the typhoon weakened as it moved inland. [4] About 360 flights and more than 190 high-speed rail services were cancelled on Sunday. [5] Hong Kong airport authorities said flights would gradually resume on Sunday afternoon after a 12-hour disruption. [4]
Heavy Rain and Flood Alerts Across Southern Provinces
The National Meteorological Centre forecast heavy to torrential rain from Sunday until Monday morning across much of China's south. [4] Extremely heavy to exceptional downpours are expected to lash some areas including the province of Fujian. [4] The typhoon will dump heavy to torrential rain across much of southern China for two days. [4] Rains are likely to persist until Tuesday as Noul moves inland. [4] China declared its highest alert for flash floods in several provinces following the storm's landfall. [4] The typhoon is weakening as it moves inland according to Hong Kong's Observatory. [4] Forecasters said the storm would continue to affect provinces such as Jiangxi and Hunan with strong winds and heavy rain. [4] The National Meteorological Centre issued the forecast for heavy to torrential rain through Monday morning. [4]
What to watch next: Rains are likely to persist until Tuesday as the typhoon continues inland and authorities monitor flash-flood risks in several provinces.
