Typhoon Noul Slams Guangdong; More Than 340,000 Relocated as Flights, Trains Halted

GUANGZHOU / HONG KONG, 26 July 2026
More than 340,000 people were relocated for safety in Guangdong Province as Typhoon Noul, the 12th typhoon of the year, struck southern China, bringing high winds, torrential rain, and major disruption to transport.

China’s national weather centre said Noul made landfall along the coast of Huidong County, in the city of Huizhou, at about 3:50 a.m. local time on Sunday. Meteorological agencies reported maximum sustained winds near the centre of about 145 km/h (90 mph) equivalent to strong typhoon strength with the storm later moving inland and weakening gradually.
Provincial flood and typhoon authorities said more than 340,000 residents had been relocated by Saturday afternoon as the storm approached. Nineteen cities and 135 county-level areas in Guangdong had activated emergency responses; several areas, including parts of Shanwei and Huizhou, declared their highest alert levels. Twelve cities imposed full or partial suspensions of classes, work, and some business and transport operations, state media reported.

Beijing raised the national flood and typhoon emergency response for Guangdong to Level III on Saturday. Maritime officials said thousands of vessels were guided to shelter, and Guangdong deployed rescue ships, tugboats, helicopters, and standby emergency teams.
Rail services across Guangdong were canceled for Sunday, according to state media. Hong Kong felt the outer bands of the storm: the observatory warned of strong winds and heavy rain, shelters opened, and Hong Kong International Airport reported hundreds of flights canceled or delayed over the weekend; Cathay Pacific canceled arrivals and departures during part of Sunday morning.

Forecasters warned of gusts in the northeastern South China Sea, along Guangdong’s eastern coast, and in the Pearl River Estuary, with heavy rainfall possible in parts of Guangdong, Hunan, and Jiangxi. Officials cautioned that Noul could bring prolonged rain, inland penetration, and elevated risks of flooding, landslides, and urban waterlogging.
There was no immediate full casualty toll in early reporting. Authorities urged residents in affected areas to follow local warnings and avoid unnecessary travel.