Typhoon Noul Triggers Mass Evacuations and Travel Disruption in Southern China

Reuters

A pedestrian holds an inverted umbrella against strong winds during heavy rain from Typhoon Noul in Hong Kong, China.

Typhoon Noul made landfall in southern China early on Sunday, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain to Guangdong province and neighbouring Hong Kong, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people and widespread transport disruption.

China declared its highest alert for flash floods in several provinces as the year's strongest typhoon forced the relocation of more than 700,000 people in Guangdong, authorities said.

The year's 12th tropical cyclone ⁠and China's third this month, Noul, which means the glow of sunrise or sunset in Korean, struck the coast of Huidong county at about 3:50 a.m., provincial officials said, according to Reuters

It is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to nearby provinces such as Jiangxi and Hunan as it moves inland, state broadcaster CCTV said, with the rains likely to persist until Tuesday.

Extremely heavy to exceptional downpours are expected to lash some areas including the ‌province of Fujian, as the National Meteorological Centre forecast heavy to torrential rain from Sunday until Monday morning across much of China’s south, Reuters reported.

Authorities urged local governments to pay special attention to flood-prone areas such as zones of mountains and rivers, building sites, valleys and bridges.

Hong Kong’s Observatory said Noul, with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h (68 mph) near its centre, was moving Sunday into inland Guangdong and weakening progressively.

More than 715,000 people had been relocated for safety in Guangdong province, according to state media. Train services in the province were cancelled for Sunday, according to China News Service.

China’s National Meteorological Center expected parts of southern Guangdong and south-eastern Fujian provinces to experience heavy rain and strong winds. Many trees were seen uprooted in Huilai county, located on the coast of Guangdong province, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Hong Kong’s airport authority said about 350 flights were cancelled Sunday. At least nine people were injured across the city during the typhoon period, according to authorities. Officials said flights will gradually begin resuming on Sunday afternoon.

As Noul approached Hong Kong, parts of a large scaffolding on a high-rise building collapsed on Saturday, police said, although initial reports indicated there were no injuries.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said Noul was bringing rainfall to parts of southern and eastern Taiwan. It was passing over waters south of Taiwan, and was moving away from the island on Saturday.

Earlier this month, Typhoon Bavi brought strong winds and rain to eastern China, leading to the evacuation of more than 2 million people. It made landfall on 11 July. Another, Maysak, made landfall in southern China on 3 July.



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