Powerful Typhoon Noul made landfall along China’s southern coast early Sunday, bringing winds of up to 145 kmph, torrential rain and widespread disruption across Guangdong Province. Authorities evacuated more than 340,000 residents to safer locations as the storm battered coastal areas.

According to the China National Meteorological Centre, Typhoon Noul came ashore at around 3:50 a.m. local time in Huidong County of Huizhou City in southern Guangdong. The cyclone struck with intense winds before gradually weakening as it moved inland.

The Hong Kong Observatory said the typhoon was tracking toward the interior of Guangdong Province and had slightly weakened after landfall. However, heavy rainfall and strong winds continue to pose significant risks across the region.

Over 150 Flights Cancelled, Train Services Suspended

Transportation has been severely affected by the storm. According to the Hong Kong International Airport, more than 150 flights scheduled between Saturday and Sunday were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

The China News Service reported that all train services across Guangdong Province were suspended on Sunday as a precautionary measure. State broadcaster CCTV said emergency evacuation operations began on Saturday afternoon, with authorities rushing to relocate residents from vulnerable coastal areas before the cyclone struck.

Building Collapse in Hong Kong

The typhoon also caused structural damage in Hong Kong, where a building under construction collapsed on Saturday. Officials confirmed that no casualties were reported in the incident.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration reported that the storm brought heavy rainfall to the island’s southern regions, worsening weather conditions across southern and eastern Taiwan.

Third Typhoon to Hit China This Month

July has proved to be a particularly challenging month for China, with three typhoons striking the country in quick succession.

Earlier this month, Typhoon Bavi forced nearly 2 million people in eastern China to evacuate from their homes. Before that, Typhoon Maysak made landfall in southern China on July 3, causing widespread disruption.

Meteorologists have warned that heavy rainfall is likely to continue through the weekend across Guangdong Province and southeastern Fujian Province, raising concerns over flooding, landslides and further transportation disruptions.