Southern, Central China Brace for Flood Risk After Typhoon Noul Remnants Move Inland

China's southern and central regions are bracing for severe flooding as the remnants of Typhoon Noul move inland, bringing torrential rain. Forecasters warn the weakened storm may linger longer than usual, exacerbating the risk across a wide swathe of the country.

Provinces including Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Henan, and Guangxi are expected to experience heavy rainfall through Thursday, according to the National Meteorological Center. State media highlighted that the storm's path over mountainous terrain increases the likelihood of floods, landslides, and other disasters.

Typhoon Noul intensified rapidly before making landfall in Guangdong over the weekend, becoming the strongest typhoon to hit China this year. The country is now facing the dual threat of typhoon activity and the ongoing flood season, prompting emergency officials to order stricter flood-control measures.

Authorities are conducting inspections of critical infrastructure and pre-deploying rescue teams and equipment to vulnerable areas. Safety checks are also being mandated for key industries such as mining, hazardous chemicals, and fireworks production. In the northwest and southwest, regions like Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan are also on high alert due to frequent heavy precipitation, with Gansu issuing its highest warning for geological disasters.