Typhoon Noul has weakened into a tropical storm as it pushed inland on Sunday, following its landfall along the coast of southern China. The storm, which state media identified as the strongest to hit the country so far this year, brought intense winds and heavy rainfall to the region. Authorities in Guangdong province reported that more than 801,000 residents were relocated as a safety precaution. Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Water Resources elevated its flood-control emergency response for the area, citing a high risk of mountain flooding. To assist with recovery efforts, the National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 100 million yuan, equivalent to $14.8 million, to Guangdong.
The impact was significant in Hong Kong, where the airport authority confirmed the cancellation of approximately 350 flights, leaving around 2,000 passengers stranded throughout the weekend. Local officials reported that at least 21 people sustained injuries across the city during the storm. Weather authorities have warned that heavy rain is expected to continue across parts of southern Guangdong and southeastern Fujian provinces.
Prior to reaching China, Noul moved across the Philippines, where the government's disaster-response agency confirmed at least three deaths and widespread displacement caused by flooding. The storm also passed south of Taiwan, bringing heavy rain to parts of the island without making direct landfall. Noul marks the third typhoon to strike China within a single month, following Bavi and Maysak.
In a separate weather-related incident, at least 10 people were killed and 23 others injured in a flash flood in northwestern China's Gansu province on Sunday. The deluge, which occurred in the afternoon in Weiyuan county, hit a scenic area and trapped tourists who were camping. Search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing in the affected area.
