Typhoon Noul has forced the evacuation of more than 715,000 people in southern China
Typhoon Noul made landfall on the coast of Huidong County in Guangdong Province at around 03:50 on Sunday. According to state media, it is the most powerful typhoon to make landfall in China this year.
The storm brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to Guangdong Province and neighbouring Hong Kong. According to weather forecasts, heavy and, in places, torrential rain is set to continue across much of southern China for the next two days.
The Chinese authorities have issued the highest level of warning regarding the risk of flash floods in several provinces. The National Meteorological Centre forecasts heavy and torrential rain until Monday morning across most of the country’s southern regions. Particularly heavy rainfall is expected in certain areas of Fujian Province.
Local authorities have been advised to pay particular attention to areas at risk of flooding, notably mountainous terrain, riverbanks, construction sites, valleys and bridges.
According to state media, more than 715,000 people have been evacuated to safe locations in Guangdong province. Rail services in the region were also suspended on Sunday.
The National Meteorological Centre reported that heavy rain and gusty winds are expected in parts of southern Guangdong Province and south-eastern Fujian Province. The state-run CCTV channel showed fallen trees in the coastal county of Huilai.
As the typhoon moves further inland, it is expected to bring strong winds and rain to the neighbouring provinces of Jiangxi and Hunan. The rainfall is forecast to continue until at least Tuesday.
In Hong Kong, according to the local observatory, the maximum sustained wind speed near the centre of the typhoon was 110 kilometres per hour. Meteorologists noted that the typhoon would gradually weaken after making landfall in Guangdong province.
The Hong Kong International Airport Authority reported that around 350 flights had been cancelled. The authorities also stated that at least nine people were injured as the typhoon passed through. Air services are scheduled to resume gradually in the second half of Sunday.
The day before the typhoon reached Hong Kong, scaffolding partially collapsed on a high-rise building. According to preliminary police reports, no one was injured.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau reported that Noul brought rain to parts of the southern and eastern regions of the island. The typhoon passed through waters south of Taiwan and continued moving away from the island.
Noul was the twelfth tropical cyclone of the year and the third to affect China during July. Earlier this month, Typhoon Bavi forced the evacuation of more than two million people after making landfall on China’s east coast on 11 July, whilst Typhoon Maysak reached the country’s south coast on 3 July.
