Post by : Badri Ariffin

Typhoon Noul struck southern China in the early hours of Sunday, unleashing heavy rain and powerful winds across Guangdong province and extending into Hong Kong. The storm led to critical safety measures, including the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of individuals, as authorities issued high alerts in several regions.

Making history as the strongest typhoon to land in China this year, Noul hit Huidong county’s coast at approximately 3:50 am, according to local officials. Categorized as the 12th tropical cyclone of the year, Noul is the third such storm to impact China this particular month. The name “Noul” is derived from Korean, meaning the glow of sunrise or sunset.

Mass Evacuations in Guangdong Province

In a precautionary measure, authorities relocated over 715,000 individuals across Guangdong before the storm's arrival, implementing emergency protocols to safeguard residents from the impending typhoon.

Additionally, several provinces received the highest flash flood alerts due to anticipated torrential rain and flooding risks. Local governments were urged to closely observe areas prone to flooding, including rivers, valleys, bridges, and construction sites.

Continued Heavy Rain and Winds Anticipated

Weather officials predict that Typhoon Noul will unleash heavy to torrential rainfall across large parts of southern China for two days following its passage through Guangdong and Hong Kong, where gale-force winds were recorded.

The storm is set to move inland, affecting neighboring provinces like Jiangxi and Hunan, where strong winds and heavy rain are expected, with forecasts indicating rainfall until Tuesday.

The National Meteorological Centre of China anticipates heavy to torrential rain across much of southern China from Sunday to Monday morning, with extreme rainfall predicted in certain areas of Fujian province.

Flight Disruptions and Damage in Hong Kong

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, Typhoon Noul generated sustained winds of up to 110 km/h (68 mph) near its center while moving inland through Guangdong and gradually weakening.

The storm significantly disrupted operations in Hong Kong, resulting in around 350 cancellations at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday. Airport officials noted that operations would gradually return to normal later in the afternoon.

At least nine individuals have been reported injured as a result of the storm.

Before reaching Hong Kong, a section of large scaffolding from a high-rise building collapsed, although initial reports indicated there were no injuries.

Transport Services Halted in Guangdong

On Sunday, train services throughout Guangdong province were suspended as Typhoon Noul made its way through the area, according to reports from China News Service.

State media noted numerous trees were uprooted in Huilai county, highlighting the storm's intensity.

Impact of Rainfall in Taiwan

While passing through waters south of Taiwan, Typhoon Noul also brought rainfall to parts of southern and eastern Taiwan. By Saturday, it was reported that the storm was moving away from the island.

Similarity to Previous Typhoons

Typhoon Noul follows two other storms that struck China earlier this month. Typhoon Bavi made landfall on July 11, causing heavy rains and the evacuation of over 2 million people, while Typhoon Maysak impacted southern China on July 3.

#Global News #Breaking News #World Update