Ten fatalities and numerous injuries reported as Typhoon Noul triggers severe flooding in Guangdong, prompting mass evacuations and rescue operations.
New Delhi, India Jul 27, 2026 ALN: Ten people were killed and 32 others injured in rain-triggered floods in China as Typhoon Noul made landfall early Sunday in the southern province of Guangdong. The impact of Typhoon Noul has been devastating, with the heavy rainfall leading to flash floods that have resulted in significant loss of life and widespread damage.
A flash flood, triggered by sudden heavy rainfall, hit a scenic area in Weiyuan County, Dingxi City, on Sunday afternoon, leaving 10 people dead and 23 injured, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The rapid onset of the flood caught many by surprise, particularly tourists who were camping in the scenic area. Local authorities have indicated that these individuals were trapped when the floodwaters surged unexpectedly, highlighting the dangers posed by such natural disasters.
In response to the crisis, a total of 305 rescue personnel with 68 vehicles from the national comprehensive fire and rescue teams were deployed to conduct rescue operations at the site. The scale of the rescue effort underscores the urgency and severity of the situation as rescuers worked tirelessly to reach those stranded by the floodwaters.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Noul, the strongest typhoon to hit China this year, brought destructive winds and heavy rains to South China's Guangdong Province, forcing the evacuation of 715,351 people. This mass evacuation was a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding residents from the impending dangers of the typhoon. The storm's impact extended beyond the immediate vicinity of the landfall, as it caused significant disruptions in transportation, grounding more than 700 flights in major cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Typhoon Noul was the 12th typhoon of the year and made landfall in Huidong County, South China's Guangdong Province, on Sunday morning with maximum sustained winds near its center reaching 45 metres per second, equivalent to approximately 162 kilometres per hour. This intensity made it the first typhoon to hit Guangdong this year and the strongest to make landfall in China so far in 2026, surpassing its predecessors, Typhoons Maysak and Bavi.
As the storm moved inland, it weakened to a severe tropical storm as of 10 am on Sunday, but it was projected to continue bringing heavy rainfall to the region. The National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief activated a Level-IV national disaster relief emergency response for Guangdong. This designation is the least severe tier in China’s four-tier emergency response system, which ranges from Level I, the most critical, to Level IV.
In anticipation of the storm's impact, high-speed rail services and flights across Guangdong province were cancelled on Sunday. The decision to suspend these services was made to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, as Typhoon Noul brought heavy rainfall to large parts of southern China. The National Meteorological Centre had issued its first red alert for a typhoon this year on Saturday evening, indicating the potential for severe weather. This alert was subsequently downgraded to orange and then to yellow on Sunday as the storm weakened, but the threat of flooding and landslides remained.
The typhoon's winds, recorded at up to 162 kilometres per hour, were slightly stronger than those of Typhoon Bavi, which had struck eastern and northeastern China about two weeks prior. The comparison between the two storms illustrates the unpredictable nature of typhoons and their varying impacts on different regions. In the wake of such storms, communities often face prolonged recovery periods as they deal with the aftermath of flooding, infrastructure damage, and the emotional toll on residents.
In addition to immediate rescue efforts, a working team has been dispatched to the affected areas to assess the situation and assist local authorities in relocating and resettling residents. This team is also responsible for ensuring that the basic living needs of displaced individuals are met, which is crucial in the aftermath of such disasters. The provision of food, shelter, and medical care is essential to prevent further loss of life and to support the recovery of the affected communities.
Ahead of the typhoon's landfall, China's national observatory had issued a red alert, the highest level in the country's four-tier colour-coded typhoon warning system. The alert system is designed to inform the public of the potential dangers posed by approaching storms, with red indicating the most severe threat. Following red, the alerts are categorized as orange, yellow, and blue, each representing decreasing levels of risk.
Emergency measures were also activated in several other provinces, including Fujian, Jiangxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi, covering large parts of eastern, central, and southern China. The proactive approach taken by local governments in issuing warnings and preparing for the storm reflects the lessons learned from previous typhoons and the importance of disaster preparedness in mitigating the impacts of such natural events.
In response to the disaster, the National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan (about USD 14.7 million) from the central budget to support post-disaster recovery efforts in Guangdong. This funding is critical for rebuilding infrastructure, providing aid to those affected, and ensuring that communities can recover from the extensive damage caused by Typhoon Noul.
As the region begins to assess the full extent of the damage and the loss of life, it is clear that Typhoon Noul has left a significant mark on southern China. The combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and the resulting flooding underscores the increasing vulnerability of coastal regions to typhoons, which are expected to become more intense due to climate change. The implications of such storms extend beyond immediate disaster response; they raise questions about long-term preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and the need for comprehensive disaster management strategies to protect communities in the face of natural disasters.
In conclusion, the aftermath of Typhoon Noul serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the challenges faced by communities in disaster-prone areas. As recovery efforts continue, it will be essential for local and national authorities to work collaboratively to ensure that affected individuals receive the support they need and that lessons are learned to improve future disaster response and resilience.
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