Typhoon Noul made landfall in Huidong county, Guangdong province, at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
The system, which takes its name from the Korean word for the glow of sunrise or sunset, represents the third tropical cyclone to hit China this month.
Guangdong Landfall and Mass Evacuations
China’s National Meteorological Center tracked the storm’s arrival along the coast of Huidong county in Huizhou, located in the southern Guangdong province. The landfall triggered high alerts across the region, with more than 340,000 residents relocated for safety by Saturday afternoon, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The impact on infrastructure was immediate. The China News Service reported that train services in Guangdong were canceled for Sunday. In the coastal city of Zhuhai, local government notices indicated that all coastal scenic areas were closed to visitors and all ferry services were suspended for both Saturday and Sunday.
Meteorologists warned of extreme precipitation, with cumulative rainfall reaching 500 to 600mm (20 to 24 inches) in localized areas of eastern Guangdong and southern Fujian. This surge comes as China enters its peak flood control window, known as Qixia Bashang, which runs from mid-July to mid-August.
Hong Kong Signal Transitions and Infrastructure Damage
Hong Kong experienced a volatile series of weather warnings as Noul passed within 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) of the city. Authorities raised the alert to Typhoon Signal No. 9 early Sunday before downgrading it to Signal No. 8 at 7:10 a.m. The No. 8 signal, which typically shuts down most businesses and transport links, was scheduled to remain in force until at least noon.
The storm’s approach caused physical damage in the city’s urban core. Local police reported that parts of a large scaffolding on a high-rise building collapsed Saturday afternoon, though initial reports indicated no injuries occurred.
Transport disruptions were severe. While the Hong Kong airport website listed more than 150 canceled flights for the weekend, the South China Morning Post reported over 700 flights and more than 190 cross-border high-speed rail services were canceled on Sunday alone. Airport authorities stated that operations would gradually resume after 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
Regional Impacts from Taiwan to the Philippines
Before striking the mainland, Noul’s trajectory affected several neighboring territories. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration noted that the storm brought rainfall to the southern and eastern parts of the island while passing through waters to the south on Saturday.
The storm’s path began further east; as of Friday morning, July 24, Noul was located northeast of Manila in the Philippines, moving west-northwest at 25 to 30 kph (16 to 19 mph). This regional instability follows a deadly period in southwestern China, where rescue teams are still searching for more than 50 people missing after a landslide in Chongqing municipality.
Forecast and Wind Probability
As the storm moves further inland, it is expected to weaken. However, the Hong Kong Observatory warned that rainbands associated with Noul would continue to produce frequent heavy squally showers and thunderstorms through Sunday. The Observatory also issued an Amber Rainstorm Warning, noting that rainfall exceeding 30 mm (1.2 inches) per hour had already fallen.
The immediate focus for residents and authorities now shifts to the potential for flash floods in low-lying areas as the storm’s remnants move through inland Guangdong. The Hong Kong Observatory will determine whether to downgrade the current alert to a strong wind signal, No. 3, based on the degree of local wind weakening after noon.
