Lead

Typhoon Noul made landfall in southern China's Guangdong province early on Sunday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the region, including Hong Kong, and prompting large-scale evacuations and travel disruptions. The storm, which struck the coast of Huidong county in Huizhou at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time, has been described by China's national weather center as the strongest typhoon to hit the country so far this year.

Coverage Comparison

Reports on Typhoon Noul's impact vary in their details, particularly regarding the number of people evacuated. Al Jazeera reported that over 715,000 people had been relocated for safety in Guangdong province by early Sunday, citing state-owned China National Radio. The Jerusalem Post reported that more than 700,000 people were relocated in Guangdong, with authorities declaring the highest alert for flash floods in several provinces. The Hindu, in its coverage, initially reported that over 340,000 people had been evacuated by Saturday afternoon, citing state broadcaster CCTV, and later noted that more than 20,000 had been evacuated in the run-up to the storm. The differences in figures may reflect the timing of reports—before and after landfall—as well as varying sources.

Key Claims

  • Typhoon Noul made landfall on the coast of Huidong county in Guangdong province at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time on Sunday, as reported by multiple outlets.
  • The storm brought strong winds and heavy rain to Guangdong and Hong Kong, with the Hong Kong Observatory reporting maximum sustained winds of either 110 km/h or 145 km/h near its centre, depending on the report.
  • Evacuation figures varied widely: Al Jazeera reported over 715,000 people relocated, the Jerusalem Post reported over 700,000, while The Hindu reported over 340,000 initially and over 20,000 in a pre-landfall update.
  • China's national weather centre described Noul as the strongest typhoon to make landfall in China this year, a claim reported by both Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post.
  • Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific cancelled all flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Hong Kong International Airport during a specific period on Sunday, as reported by The Hindu.
  • Guangdong suspended some train services, with The Hindu reporting that all train services in the province would be halted on Sunday.
  • China declared its highest alert for flash floods in several provinces, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

The Chinese government, through its national weather center and state media, emphasized the severity of the storm and the large-scale evacuation efforts. The Hong Kong Observatory provided technical details on the storm's strength and movement. The Jerusalem Post, based on Reuters reporting, highlighted the official warning about flash floods and the authorities' call for vigilance in flood-prone areas. The Hindu's reporting focused on the pre-landfall preparations, including evacuation numbers and travel disruptions, reflecting the perspective of local authorities and airlines.