Typhoon Noul Slams Southern China, Hundreds of Thousands Evacuated

Early Saturday morning, the sky over Guangdong and the nearby islands turned an ominous shade of gray as Typhoon Noul finally rolled ashore. Meteorologists had been tracking the storm’s rapid intensification for days, and when it reached land, wind gusts screamed past 150 km/h, rain hammered the coastline, and sea‑levels surged dramatically.

Local authorities, fearing the worst, ordered a massive evacuation. By the time the typhoon’s eye brushed the coast, officials reported that roughly 340 000 residents had been moved to temporary shelters – schools, community centres and even stadiums repurposed into safe‑hubs. The numbers kept climbing as more villages in the low‑lying flood‑plain were cleared.

Air travel took a hit too. Major hubs such as Guangzhou Baiyun and Shenzhen Bao’an cancelled a combined 78 flights, stranding passengers and prompting airlines to reroute or refund tickets on short notice. Even Hong Kong International Airport saw a trickle of cancellations, with pilots citing the relentless squalls and low visibility.

On the streets of Hong Kong’s bustling Mong Kok district, pedestrians trudged through knee‑deep water while shop owners boarded up windows. A local vendor, shaking his head, said, “It feels like the city is holding its breath – we just hope everyone stays safe.”

Rescue crews, already stretched thin from previous storms, were deployed on the ground with boats, sandbags and emergency kits. The Chinese Red Cross set up additional medical stations, and power companies scrambled to restore electricity after several substations were knocked offline.

While the full toll of damage will take weeks to assess, early reports suggest that thousands of homes have suffered roof loss or water intrusion, and agricultural fields in the Pearl River Delta are already showing signs of salt‑water intrusion.

Government spokesperson Li Wei urged residents to stay indoors, avoid low‑lying areas, and heed any further evacuation orders. “We are monitoring the storm closely and will provide updates as the situation evolves,” the spokesperson added.

For now, the priority remains clear: keep people safe, restore essential services, and hope that Noul weakens as it moves inland.