Typhoon Noul causes flooding in China: 10 dead, 715,000 evacuated, over 700 flights canceled | Today’s news
At least 10 people were killed and dozens injured in rain-triggered flooding in China on Sunday (26 July) as Typhoon Noul – the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year – made landfall in Guangdong province, forcing the evacuation of more than 715,000 people and causing widespread travel disruption.
The deaths came after a flash flood swept through a tourist area in Weiyuan County in northwestern Gansu province, while southern China braced for damaging winds and torrential rains from Typhoon Noul.
Flash floods kill tourists in Gansu
According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, a sudden cloudburst triggered a flash flood in a scenic area in Weiyuan County, Dingxi City on Sunday afternoon.
Some hikers who were camping in the area were trapped when floodwaters swept through the site.
Authorities said 10 people were killed and 23 others were injured in the incident. Rescue operations continued, with 305 rescue workers and 68 rescue vehicles deployed to search the area and help those affected.
Typhoon Noul makes landfall in Guangdong
Meanwhile, Typhoon Noul made landfall in Huidong County, Guangdong Province early Sunday with maximum winds of 45 meters per second (162 km/h).
Chinese state television CCTV described Noul as the strongest typhoon to make landfall in China in 2026 and the first to hit Guangdong this year, surpassing the intensity of typhoons Maysak and Bavi.
Although the storm weakened to a severe tropical storm after moving inland, forecasters warned it would continue to bring heavy rainfall across southern China.
More than 715,000 evacuated
Authorities evacuated 715,351 people across Guangdong as a precaution against the storm.
The National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Relief activated the National Emergency Response for Disaster Relief IV. levels for Guangdong, which is the lowest level in China’s four-tier emergency system.
Rescue teams were also dispatched to assess the damage, relocate residents and ensure access to food, shelter and other basic services.
Flights and trains cancelled
Typhoon Noul caused major traffic disruptions across southern China.
More than 700 flights were canceled at Guangzhou and Shenzhen airports, and high-speed rail services across Guangdong were suspended on Sunday.
In neighboring Hong Kong, authorities canceled more than 410 flights and 150 high-speed trains as the storm approached. The Ministry of the Interior has opened 28 temporary shelters for residents in vulnerable areas.
Read also | Forest fires in France and Spain: mass evacuations and international aid – latest update
Highest typhoon warning issued
China’s National Meteorological Center on Saturday issued the year’s first red typhoon warning – the highest level of warning under the country’s four-level color-coded warning system.
As Noul weakened after landfall, the warning was downgraded first to orange and later to yellow on Sunday.
Emergency measures remained in place in several provinces, including Fujian, Jiangxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong and Guangxi.
Enforcement resources released
China’s National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 100 million yuan (approximately US$14.7 million) from the central government’s budget to support recovery efforts.
The funds will be used to rehabilitate damaged roads, water conservation projects, schools and hospitals, helping affected communities return to normal as quickly as possible.
Authorities have warned that heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding will persist even as Typhoon Noul weakens, with rescue operations and damage assessments continuing in affected areas.
Read also | Heat dome triggers record temperatures in Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska
