Typhoon Noul weakens after making landfall, brings heavy rain to southern China

Typhoon Noul weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall on the coast of southern China, bringing heavy rain and winds to Guangdong and Fujian provinces. Over 801,000 people were relocated in Guangdong for safety. In Hong Kong, approximately 350 flights were canceled, stranding about 2,000 passengers, and 21 people were injured. China's Ministry of Water Resources upgraded its flood-control emergency response due to high risks of mountain floods. The National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan for recovery efforts in Guangdong. Noul is the third typhoon to hit China this month and is considered the strongest to make landfall there this year. Earlier, Noul caused at least three deaths and displacement in the Philippines and brought heavy rain to Taiwan.

Typhoon Noul triggered a No 9 signal in Hong Kong on Sunday, marking its third-closest approach to the city by a major storm this century. Despite violent winds, Noul caused relatively minor damage. The storm came within 80km of Hong Kong, making it the third closest after Saola (40km in 2023) and Hato/Wipha (60km in 2017/2025). The Observatory issued the No 8 signal on Saturday night, upgrading it to No 9 early Sunday before lowering it later in the day. Noul made landfall near Huizhou, Guangdong, as the first typhoon to hit the province this year, leading to hundreds of flight and rail service cancellations.

Typhoon Noul made landfall in China's southern Guangdong province early Sunday morning, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the region, including Hong Kong. This was the strongest typhoon to hit China this year, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near its center. In response to the severe weather, over 715,000 people were relocated for safety in Guangdong province. Hong Kong's airport canceled approximately 350 flights, and at least nine people were injured in the city. The typhoon was moving inland and weakening, with heavy rain and strong winds expected to continue over the weekend in parts of Guangdong and Fujian provinces.

Typhoon Noul made landfall in Huizhou city, Guangdong province, on Sunday morning, becoming the strongest typhoon to hit China this year. In response, the National Meteorological Centre issued its first red typhoon warning of the year on Saturday evening. The typhoon brought heavy rainfall to Guangdong and neighboring provinces, causing significant travel disruptions. High-speed rail services and flights across Guangdong province were cancelled on Sunday due to the severe weather.

The Hong Kong Observatory has announced that the No. 8 storm signal will remain in effect until at least noon due to Typhoon Noul. This has led to significant disruptions, with over 350 flights and more than 190 cross-border high-speed rail services cancelled on Sunday. Although Typhoon Noul is moving inland into Guangdong and weakening, gales continue to affect many areas of Hong Kong, with storm-force winds reported offshore and on high ground. The Observatory stated that the signal may be downgraded to a No. 3 strong wind signal depending on local wind conditions. Frequent heavy squally showers and thunderstorms are also expected throughout Sunday.

Southern China is bracing for Typhoon Noul, prompting significant disruptions. The National Meteorological Centre issued an orange typhoon alert, the second highest level, as the storm moved northwest across the South China Sea. Typhoon Noul is expected to make landfall between Hong Kong and Huilai county in eastern Guangdong overnight, with wind speeds potentially reaching 151 km/h. In response, rail services in Guangdong are being cancelled, with all trains to be halted by Sunday. Schools have been closed, and residents are being evacuated. Authorities have advised boats to dock, large gatherings to be cancelled, and residents to stay indoors due to forecasts of strong winds and heavy rain in Guangdong, Fujian, and Taiwan. Tours of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge were also halted for two days, though the bridge remained open to traffic.

Hong Kong's weather forecaster issued the No. 3 typhoon signal at 1:20 PM on Saturday due to Typhoon Noul. Local winds were anticipated to strengthen gradually with squally showers developing later in the day. As a result of the approaching typhoon, afternoon classes were suspended in some schools. At noon, Typhoon Noul was approximately 330 kilometers east-southeast of Hong Kong and was forecast to move west-northwest towards the Guangdong coast.