Typhoon Noul struck southern China early Sunday, leading to extensive evacuations and widespread disruptions as the storm brought intense winds and heavy rainfall to Guangdong province and nearby areas. The typhoon’s arrival marked a significant weather event in the region, compelling authorities to take emergency precautions affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.
What Happened
On July 26, 2026, Typhoon Noul made landfall in Huidong County, part of Huizhou city in China’s southern Guangdong province, at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time, according to China’s National Meteorological Center. Prior to landfall, it moved across the South China Sea, edging closer to Guangdong’s coast while sustaining winds near 90 mph. The Hong Kong Observatory reported that the typhoon weakened as it pushed inland, still driving strong winds and heavy rain across Guangdong.
In response, Guangdong authorities relocated more than 715,000 people to safer locations. Multiple transport services, including train operations within the province, were canceled on Sunday. Hong Kong also experienced severe weather, with over 350 flight cancellations reported at the airport over the weekend, causing further travel disruptions. While a scaffolding collapse on a high-rise building in Hong Kong was reported, police indicated no injuries were involved. The storm’s impact extended to Taiwan where the Central Weather Administration noted rainfall in southern and eastern areas as Noul passed south of the island.
Key Facts
Typhoon Noul was recorded with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph before landfall, decreasing to about 68 mph inland. More than 715,000 people were evacuated in Guangdong province. Dozens of flights were canceled at Hong Kong International Airport over two days. Train services in Guangdong were halted on Sunday as a precaution. Authorities confirmed no injuries from infrastructure damage caused by the typhoon in Hong Kong. Taiwan received rainfall from the typhoon’s peripheral effects while it moved away from the island. Guangdong and southeastern Fujian provinces were forecasted to continue experiencing severe weather conditions over the weekend.
What This Means
The massive evacuation and transport shutdowns highlight the ongoing vulnerability of southern China to tropical cyclones during the summer typhoon season. For local residents, such disruptions affect daily life, economic activity, and travel, underscoring the importance of effective early warning systems and disaster preparedness. The impact on Hong Kong’s airport operations is notable given the city’s role as a regional transport hub, potentially affecting international travel and commerce.
The storm’s reach into Taiwan illustrates the broad geographic influence such typhoons can have across East Asia, necessitating cross-border meteorological cooperation. Additionally, the recent sequence of storms—Typhoons Maysak, Bavi, and now Noul—points to a particularly active tropical cyclone period with cumulative effects on infrastructure and population resilience in eastern China and neighboring regions.
Background
This storm follows two earlier typhoons that similarly affected eastern and southern China earlier in July. Typhoon Bavi, which made landfall on July 11, led to the evacuation of over 2 million people. Typhoon Maysak also struck southern China earlier in the month on July 3. These successive cyclones have tested emergency response systems and heightened regional alertness to extreme weather events during this typhoon season.
What Comes Next
China’s National Meteorological Center anticipates continuing heavy rain and strong winds in southern Guangdong and southeastern Fujian over the following days as remnants of Noul move inland. Authorities will likely maintain emergency measures until the weather stabilizes to ensure residents’ safety. Flight operations in the region remain subject to cancellations depending on evolving weather conditions.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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