Typhoon Noul weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday as it moved inland after making landfall, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain along the coast of southern China. The storm’s progression prompted widespread evacuations, transit shutdowns, and emergency responses across multiple provinces.
Evacuations and Flood Response in Guangdong and Fujian
Chinese weather authorities tracked heavy rainfall across parts of southern Guangdong and southeastern Fujian provinces as the system moved inland. According to the official Xinhua News Agency, more than 801,000 people were relocated for safety in Guangdong province alone to mitigate the dangers of rising waters and structural hazards.
To address the escalating risks, China’s Ministry of Water Resources upgraded its flood-control emergency response for Guangdong and surrounding regions due to heightened threats of mountain floods, as reported by Xinhua. Meanwhile, China’s National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan, equivalent to approximately $14.8 million, to support immediate recovery operations in the typhoon-impacted Guangdong province.
Transportation Disruptions and Casualties in Hong Kong
In the financial hub of Hong Kong, severe weather conditions severely disrupted transport networks and public safety over the weekend. The city’s airport authority reported that approximately 350 flights were canceled on Sunday, leaving about 2,000 passengers stranded at the airport.
Local emergency services confirmed that at least 21 people sustained injuries across Hong Kong during the height of the typhoon.
Regional Impact Across the Philippines and Taiwan
Noul marked the third typhoon to strike China and make landfall within a single month, following previous storms Bavi and Maysak. Chinese state media noted that Noul is the strongest storm to make landfall in China so far this year.
Before impacting the Chinese coastline, the system moved across the Philippines, where the government’s disaster-response agency reported that at least three people died and many others were displaced by widespread flooding and rain. The storm also delivered heavy rainfall to parts of Taiwan as it passed south of the island without making a direct landfall.
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