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Typhoon Noul is currently battering southern China, including Hong Kong, with strong winds and heavy rainfall throughout the weekend. In response, authorities in Guangdong province have evacuated over 340,000 residents as the region remains on high alert, and dozens of flights have been canceled.
The Hong Kong Observatory reported that Noul, now strengthened with maximum sustained winds reaching 90 mph near its center, is moving across the South China Sea and edging closer to Guangdong’s coastline. The storm is forecast to make landfall early Sunday morning near the cities of Huizhou and Shanwei before moving inland, bringing gusty winds and heavy showers to surrounding areas. China’s National Meteorological Center similarly anticipates significant rain and strong winds across southern Guangdong and southeastern Fujian this weekend.
Transportation disruptions are widespread. Train services in Guangdong have been suspended for Sunday, and Hong Kong International Airport has canceled over 150 flights for Saturday and Sunday, with more potential cancellations expected.
In response to the threat, mainland Chinese authorities raised their typhoon alert to the highest red level on Saturday evening. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Observatory issued a Signal No. 8 warning, the third-highest under the city’s storm alert system.
As Noul nears Hong Kong, a portion of scaffolding on a high-rise building collapsed Saturday afternoon. Fortunately, police report no injuries from the incident.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration noted that Noul brought rainfall to parts of southern and eastern Taiwan as it passed over waters south of the island, moving away by Saturday.
This latest storm comes after a busy typhoon season in the region. Earlier in July, Typhoon Bavi forced the evacuation of more than 2 million people as it struck eastern China on July 11.
Another typhoon, Maysak, made landfall in southern China on July 3. Authorities remain vigilant as Noul continues to affect the region.