Lead

Typhoon Noul — described by the South China Morning Post as the strongest storm to hit China so far this year — made landfall in southern China on Sunday morning, pushing authorities to cancel high-speed rail services, halt flights, close schools and evacuate residents in Guangdong province. The storm came ashore near Huizhou city at around 3.50am, carrying winds of up to 162km/h and delivering heavy rainfall across large parts of the province.

Coverage of the storm’s approach

Coverage for the approach and impact differed slightly, with one South China Morning Post report focusing on the precautionary steps taken before landfall and a later report detailing the storm’s destructive land passage. A report published after Noul struck said the National Meteorological Centre issued its first red typhoon warning of the year — the highest of a four-tier system — on Saturday evening, and that it was lowered to an orange alert on Sunday morning as the storm weakened. An earlier report, written before landfall, described an orange alert — the second-highest level — being in force on Saturday morning and suggested the storm was expected to arrive between Hong Kong and Huilai county in eastern Guangdong overnight, with wind speeds of up to 151km/h.

The eventual landfall near Huizhou city, to the north, was accompanied by wind gusts considerably stronger than those initially projected. Forecasters had also repeatedly stressed that the storm would bring heavy rain and winds to parts of Guangdong, Fujian and Taiwan, urging boats to be docked, large gatherings cancelled, and residents to stay indoors as much as possible.

Transport closures, evacuations and the bridge

The disruption to transport was severe. High-speed rail services and flights across Guangdong were cancelled on Sunday, and rail operators had already begun cancelling services in the province, with all trains expected to be halted by Sunday, the authorities said. Residents were evacuated in some areas and schools were suspended.

Despite the sweeping closures, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge remained open to traffic on Saturday morning, though tours of the structure were suspended. The bridge is a key link across the Pearl River estuary and one of the few major routes that stayed carriable during the storm’s impact.

Forecast and warnings

Forecast to gradually move northwest and weaken rapidly, the storm nevertheless was expected to bring torrential rainfall to large parts of the country, including technology hubs such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou, and the manufacturing heartlands in the Pearl River Delta, according to forecasters cited in the reports. The National Meteorological Centre issued a warning urging residents to take precautions, though no figures on widespread injuries or damage have been reported.

Key Claims

  • Typhoon Noul made landfall in Guangdong province, bringing heavy rainfall to large parts of southern China.
  • High-speed rail services and flights were cancelled due to Typhoon Noul.
  • The storm brought winds of up to 162km/h.
  • The National Meteorological Centre issued a red typhoon warning, which was later lowered to an orange alert.
  • The storm is projected to move northwest and weaken rapidly.
  • Trains were stopped and residents were evacuated in southern China due to Typhoon Noul.
  • The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge remained open to traffic.