China issues highest flash flood alert as Typhoon Noul makes landfall, forcing 700,000 to relocate

Typhoon Noul, China's third tropical cyclone this month, struck the coast of Huidong County early Sunday, triggering the nation's highest alert for flash floods. Authorities reported that more than 700,000 people in Guangdong province were relocated due to the storm's impact.

Noul is expected to dump heavy to torrential rains across southern China for two days, affecting provinces like Jiangxi and Hunan as it moves inland. The National Meteorological Center forecast extremely heavy to exceptional downpours in areas including Fujian province. Local governments were urged to monitor flood-prone zones, including mountainous regions, river valleys, construction sites, and bridges.

While the typhoon is weakening, it battered parts of Hong Kong with strong winds, leading to flight suspensions. Hong Kong's Observatory downgraded its typhoon signal by Sunday afternoon. Airport authorities announced that flights would gradually resume, with most suspensions lasting over 12 hours.