Mass Evacuations as Typhoon Noul Pounds Southern China Coast
Authorities relocated over 340,000 residents in Guangdong province as Typhoon Noul made landfall Sunday morning. The storm triggered widespread transport cancellations and infrastructure damage across the region.
Storm Impact and Landfall Logistics
Typhoon Noul officially reached the southern Chinese coast at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time on Sunday, July 26, 2026. Data from China’s national weather center confirmed the storm struck Huidong county within the city of Huizhou. Upon arrival, the system maintained maximum sustained winds of 145 kph (90 mph), though the Hong Kong Observatory noted the storm began to weaken as it moved further into the Guangdong interior.
Large-Scale Displacement and Infrastructure Disruptions
The threat posed by the storm necessitated a massive civilian response. By the afternoon of Saturday, July 25, state broadcaster CCTV reported that more than 340,000 people had been evacuated across Guangdong province to ensure public safety. This surge in weather-related activity significantly crippled regional logistics:
- Aviation: Over 150 flights scheduled for Saturday and Sunday were grounded at Hong Kong’s airport.
- Railways: The China News Service reported a total suspension of train services throughout Guangdong for the duration of Sunday.
- Urban Hazards: In Hong Kong, police responded to a high-rise building on Saturday where heavy winds caused a large scaffolding structure to collapse. Authorities reported no injuries from the incident.
Regional Meteorological Outlook
While the storm's center tracked through Guangdong, its influence extended across the South China Sea. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration observed rainfall across the southern and eastern portions of the island as Noul passed through southern waters before moving away. Forecasters at the National Meteorological Centre warned that heavy precipitation and high winds would persist in southeastern Fujian and southern Guangdong throughout the weekend.
The 2026 Storm Season Context
Noul is the latest in a rapid succession of tropical systems to strike the mainland this month. On July 3, Typhoon Maysak hit southern China, while Typhoon Bavi forced the evacuation of 2 million people after making landfall on July 11. These consecutive events have kept regional emergency services on elevated alert for the entirety of July.
Source: The Hindu — News
