Typhoon Noul makes landfall in China, strongest storm of the year

Typhoon Noul made landfall in China early Sunday morning, bringing powerful winds and heavy rain to the southern coast. State media reported the storm as the fiercest to hit the country this year, with sustained winds near the eye reaching 162 kilometers per hour.

Ahead of the typhoon's arrival, Chinese authorities took extensive measures, evacuating more than 340,000 people. Work and rail services were suspended, and major flight disruptions continued throughout Sunday morning. The storm's center crossed land near Pinghai town in Guangdong Province, approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, the typhoon caused significant disruption. The airport reported at least 350 flight cancellations. The Hong Kong Observatory issued its second-highest storm signal, T9, overnight, later downgrading it to T8. The government reported over 100 fallen trees and nine injuries. The observatory noted that gales continued to affect many areas, with storm-force winds on high ground.

Forecasters predict that Noul will move inland, bringing strong winds and rain to provinces including Jiangxi, Hunan, and Hubei. Precipitation could persist through Tuesday, potentially reaching as far north as Henan and Shandong. Guangdong Province elevated its disaster relief emergency response to its third-highest level in anticipation of the storm's impact.

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Noul is moving steadily into inland Guangdong and weakening progressively, but gales are still affecting many places over Hong Kong, with occasional storm force winds over high ground.