Scaffolding collapsed from a Hong Kong high-rise as Typhoon Noul made landfall in southern China on Sunday, triggering evacuations of 715,000 people and disrupting flights across Guangdong province.
The storm made landfall in Huidong county, Guangdong province, at 3:50 a.m. Sunday with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph (68 mph), according to China’s national weather center. Police received numerous calls after the scaffolding collapse, but initial reports indicated no casualties.
Scaffolding Collapse in Hong Kong
I was worried about the flowerpots on my mother's balcony, so I'm going to help move them inside,
said Chen Qiuqin, a Wenzhou resident assisting her elderly parents. My parents are both elderly and they're home alone, so I wasn't at ease.
The Hong Kong Observatory noted Noul was moving inland, weakening progressively but still bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the region.
Evacuations and Flight Cancellations in Guangdong
Over 715,000 people were evacuated in Guangdong province as Noul approached, with train services canceled and emergency measures activated across seven provinces. China’s National Meteorological Center warned of heavy rain and strong winds in southern Guangdong and southeastern Fujian, while CCTV reported uprooted trees in Huilai county. The typhoon’s impact extended to Taiwan, where the Central Weather Administration noted rainfall, though it did not make landfall there. In Hong Kong, 410 flights and 150 high-speed train services were canceled, with the Home Affairs Department opening 28 shelters.
The National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan (about USD 14.7 million) from the central budget to support post-disaster recovery in Guangdong, focusing on infrastructure restoration. I'm a little worried, but I think it'll be OK. We've been through typhoons before. We'll get through it,
said Wenzhou resident Huang Xinghuan, 50, who stocked two to three days’ worth of water. I think supplies are well guaranteed now. There's no need to panic or stockpile a lot of food or other supplies,
he added.
10 Deaths in Flash Floods, 17 in Philippines
At least 10 people were killed in flash floods triggered by Noul in Guangdong’s Weiyuan County, with 32 others injured, according to Xinhua News Agency. A scenic area was submerged, trapping tourists, while 305 rescue personnel deployed to the site.
Noul’s path followed Bavi, which had maximum sustained winds of 144 kph (90 mph) when it struck Taizhou on July 11.
Weakening Storm and Recovery Efforts
By Sunday afternoon, Noul had weakened to a severe tropical storm, with the National Meteorological Centre downgrading its red alert to orange and later yellow. The storm was moving inland, expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of southern China. Emergency response teams were deployed to affected areas, with the National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief activating a Level-IV disaster relief emergency.
With the typhoon’s path now inland, the focus shifted to recovery, including infrastructure repairs and ensuring displaced residents’ basic needs were met.
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