Authorities in southern China have evacuated over 340,000 people and suspended various services as Typhoon Noul approaches the Guangdong coast, with the storm expected to make landfall between Shenzhen and Haifeng early Sunday, according to the National Meteorological Center.
The Chinese weather agency issued a red typhoon alert—the highest level in its four-tier warning system—on Saturday night. In addition to Guangdong, heavy rainfall is forecast to affect neighboring provinces including Hunan, Fujian, and Jiangxi from late Saturday through Sunday night.
Typhoon Noul is anticipated to bring maximum sustained winds of 151 to 173 kilometers per hour (94 to 107 miles per hour) upon landfall. In response, authorities have taken extensive precautionary measures in the region. More than 340,000 residents have been relocated from vulnerable areas in Guangdong province, according to reports. Twelve cities across the province, including Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Shantou, have suspended various activities such as classes, work, production, business operations, and transportation either fully or partially.
Rail services in Guangdong are expected to be completely halted on Sunday, as announced by state broadcaster CCTV. Meanwhile, the Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport has advised airlines to adjust flight schedules from Sunday morning until midday, depending on weather conditions.
In Hong Kong, the city’s Observatory raised the typhoon warning to No. 8, the third-highest level, on Saturday evening. Authorities have opened 28 temporary shelters across the city in anticipation of strong winds and heavy rain. The observatory indicated it might increase the warning level to No. 10, a near-maximum alert, early Sunday as wind conditions intensify overnight.
Hong Kong International Airport has faced widespread disruptions, with at least 49 flight cancellations and 23 delays reported on Saturday. Cathay Pacific announced the cancellation of all flights to and from the airport between 1:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, with some additional flights expected to be delayed as the airline adjusts its operations in response to the storm.
Experts characterize Typhoon Noul as a complex system with deep inland penetration, prolonged duration, and heavy cumulative rainfall, posing significant risks of flooding and other related disasters. In light of these threats, Guangdong province upgraded its emergency response for flood and typhoon control to level three, while Jiangxi and Hunan provinces activated level-four flood emergency responses.
Southern and central China have already suffered severe damage from extreme weather this month. Typhoon Maysak led to at least 39 fatalities in Guangxi province due to flooding and caused additional deaths and injuries in Hubei province. Scientists have warned that the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events are increasing globally as the planet warms, driven by fossil fuel emissions.
China remains the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases but has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2060, investing heavily in renewable energy to support this goal.