Hundreds of Thousands Evacuated as Typhoon Noul Hits Southern China

By the Editorial Team · Monday, July 27, 2026

Typhoon Noul struck southern China on July 26, causing the evacuation of over 700,000 people and bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Guangdong and neighboring provinces. Despite weakening inland, the storm's ongoing rainfall has prompted flood alerts across multiple regions, with authorities emphasizing continued vigilance and risk prevention measures.

Typhoon Noul made landfall in southern China early on July 26, prompting large-scale evacuations and raising concerns over widespread flooding across several provinces. The storm struck the coast of Huidong county in Huizhou, Guangdong province, around 3:50 a.m. local time, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to the region.

Authorities in Guangdong relocated over 700,000 residents as a precautionary measure. The typhoon, reported as the strongest to hit China this year, generated maximum sustained winds near 110 kilometers per hour (68 miles per hour) at its center. As Noul moved inland, it began to weaken but continued to deliver heavy rain and gusty winds, affecting neighboring areas including Hong Kong and other southern provinces.

The Hong Kong Observatory reported that the storm passed within approximately 80 kilometers of the city, leading to the issuance and later downgrading of typhoon warning signals as conditions moderated throughout the day. Flight operations at Hong Kong International Airport, which were suspended for over 12 hours, gradually resumed by the afternoon.

In response to the prolonged rainfall, Chinese authorities issued a red alert for flash floods across multiple provinces, including Jiangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and southeastern Xinjiang. The Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration jointly emphasized the need for vigilant monitoring and risk prevention measures in areas susceptible to flooding, such as mountainous terrain, river valleys, valleys, bridges, and construction sites. Local governments were urged to prioritize evacuations or other protective actions where necessary.

Noul, the 12th tropical cyclone and third typhoon of the month to affect China, is expected to continue bringing heavy downpours through July 27 and into July 28, with some provinces, such as Fujian, facing the risk of exceptionally intense rainfall. Officials warned residents to stay alert to real-time updates and weather advisories as the typhoon progresses further inland.

Overall, while the storm has weakened since making landfall, its associated weather conditions continue to present significant challenges in southern China, particularly in terms of flood management and public safety.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.