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

Typhoon Noul weakened into a tropical storm on Sunday after moving inland following its landfall along the southern coast of China. Although the storm lost strength, it continued to bring powerful winds and heavy rainfall to several parts of the region.

Chinese meteorological officials warned that areas in southern Guangdong Province and southeastern Fujian Province were likely to experience significant rainfall. As a precaution, authorities evacuated more than 801,000 residents in Guangdong to safer locations, according to state media.

The storm also disrupted transportation in Hong Kong. Airport officials reported that approximately 350 flights were canceled on Sunday, leaving around 2,000 travelers stranded over the weekend. Local authorities said at least 21 people suffered injuries during the period when the typhoon affected the city.

Amid growing concerns over flooding, China’s Ministry of Water Resources raised its emergency flood-control response in several regions, including Guangdong, because of the heightened risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas.

To support recovery efforts, China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced an allocation of 100 million yuan (about $14.8 million) for disaster relief and reconstruction in Guangdong Province.

Noul became the third typhoon to strike China and make landfall within a single month, following Typhoons Bavi and Maysak. Chinese state media described it as the strongest typhoon to reach the country so far this year.

Before reaching China, the storm moved across the Philippines, where government disaster officials reported that at least three people lost their lives and many others were displaced because of flooding and heavy rain. As the system later passed south of Taiwan, it brought periods of intense rainfall to parts of the island, although it did not make landfall there.

In a separate weather-related disaster, northwestern China experienced a deadly flash flood on Sunday in Gansu Province. Authorities said at least 10 people were killed and 23 others were injured after sudden, heavy rainfall triggered flooding in a scenic area of Weiyuan County. Several tourists who had been camping in the area became trapped by the rapidly rising water.

Emergency teams continued search-and-rescue operations as officials worked to locate anyone still missing and provide assistance to those affected by the disaster.