Typhoon Noul forces mass evacuation in southern China

Typhoon Noul made landfall early on 26 July 2026 along Guangdong’s coast, delivering sustained winds up to 173 km/h and heavy rain. The China Meteorological Administration issued a red‑level alert, prompting the evacuation of more than 340,000 residents from flood‑prone coastal and low‑lying areas in Guangdong and nearby provinces. Train services were suspended, schools closed and many commercial operations halted.

In Hong Kong the Observatory raised the tropical cyclone warning to Signal 9 before lowering it to Signal 8 as the storm passed, and more than 700 flights were cancelled at the international airport, along with a near‑total halt to public transport. Macau raised its own warning, cancelled 22 flights and temporarily suspended passenger ferries. A large scaffolding structure collapsed in Hong Kong without injuries.

Authorities opened temporary shelters, mobilised rescue vessels and helicopters, and elevated flood‑response alerts to the highest level across Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi and Hunan, where 150‑600 mm of rain is expected, heightening flash‑flood, landslide and river‑reservoir overflow risks. Emergency repairs began on damaged MTR overhead lines and the Hong Kong‑Zhuhai‑Macao bridge remained closed as relief efforts continued.