As Typhoon Noul tracks toward southern China, officials have removed over 340,000 residents from harm’s way and implemented widespread suspensions of transport and industrial activities. China’s National Meteorological Center issued a red alert, the most severe category, as the storm prepares to hit the coast between Shenzhen and Haifeng on Sunday.
With wind speeds anticipated between 151 and 173 kilometers per hour, the system is expected to bring torrential rain across Guangdong, Hunan, Fujian, and Jiangxi. Twelve cities in Guangdong, including Guangzhou, have halted various operations, while all provincial train services will remain grounded throughout Sunday.
In Hong Kong, authorities have raised their typhoon warning level and opened two dozen emergency shelters. The local airport authority confirmed dozens of cancellations, with Cathay Pacific suspending all operations at the hub until late Sunday afternoon. Officials have emphasized the danger of this specific storm, noting its potential for deep inland impact and significant flood risk.
This event follows a series of destructive storms, including Typhoon Maysak, which caused dozens of fatalities in the region earlier this month. Scientists have linked the growing prevalence of such intense weather events to global temperature increases driven by carbon emissions.
