Southern and central China are bracing for a flood risk after Typhoon Noul pushed inland, prompting emergency response upgrades across several provinces1. Forecasters warned that a broad swathe of the country faces danger as the storm's remnants moved deeper into the mainland1.
China's Ministry of Water Resources upgraded its flood-control emergency response for Jiangxi, Hunan and Guangdong provinces from Level IV to Level III on Sunday2. Jiangxi sits in east China, Hunan in central China and Guangdong in south China2.
Central China flood alerts tighten after typhoon
The ministry cited high risks of mountain floods tied to Typhoon Noul's impact across the three provinces2. It dispatched two additional working teams to Jiangxi and Hunan to help guide flood-control efforts on the front lines2.
Local water resources authorities were told to closely monitor the typhoon's path and impact2. Officials flagged particular concern for mountain rivers, populated areas near mountain gullies, construction sites, and tourist attractions in valleys2.
Typhoon Noul's landfall in Guangdong
China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters had already raised its emergency response for Guangdong Province to Level III on Saturday as the storm intensified3. At the same time, a Level IV flood emergency response was activated for Jiangxi and Hunan3.
Typhoon Noul, the 12th typhoon of the year, was expected to make landfall along the coast between Hong Kong and Huilai in Guangdong Province between Saturday evening and Sunday morning3. Parts of the northeastern South China Sea, the eastern coast of Guangdong and the Pearl River Estuary were expected to see gusts of force 12 to 133.
Heavy rainfall was forecast for parts of Guangdong, Hunan and Jiangxi3. Ahead of landfall, the headquarters office and the Ministry of Emergency Management held a joint consultation with the China Meteorological Administration, the Ministry of Water Resources, and authorities from nine provincial-level regions, including Guangdong and Fujian3.
That meeting called for a thorough assessment of people and key facilities in typhoon-prone areas, urging local authorities to relocate residents in high-risk locations3.
Storm strength brings evacuations and flight cancellations
Typhoon Noul made landfall early Sunday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to southern China, including Hong Kong, over the weekend7. State media described it as the strongest typhoon to make landfall in China so far this year7.
The storm prompted evacuations in Guangdong province, with the region placed on high alert, and led to the cancellation of flights7. Authorities said the typhoon would dump heavy to torrential rain across much of southern China for two days after sweeping through Guangdong and neighboring Hong Kong with gale-force winds7.
China declared its highest alert for flash floods in several provinces7. The storm struck the coast of Huidong county at about 3:50 a.m., according to officials7.
Flood risk after typhoon spreads north to Shaanxi and Gansu
The flood threat did not stay confined to the south. China's Ministry of Water Resources activated a Level IV emergency response for flood prevention in the northwestern provinces of Shaanxi and Gansu on Thursday6.
The response took effect at 9 p.m. after forecasts indicated that southwestern monsoon winds combined with a cold air mass would bring heavy rainfall threatening mountain flood disasters in parts of the two regions68.
What to watch next as China braces for more flooding
Water resources authorities across Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Shaanxi and Gansu remain on alert as flood-control responses stay elevated26. To brace for potential flooding, the ministry urged local water conservancy authorities to closely monitor weather changes, issue timely warnings, and make targeted use of flood-control infrastructure5.
Readers in the region tracking their own conditions can check the forecast for your city.