Typhoon Noul Hits Southern China as Third Cyclone in a Month

Typhoon Noul made landfall in Guangdong province on Sunday, lashing coastal areas with winds of up to 125 km/h and dumping more than 30 mm of rain per hour in some spots. Authorities evacuated hundreds of thousands of residents before the storm struck, while flights, ferries and public transport were suspended across parts of Guangdong and neighbouring Hong Kong.

Noul is the third tropical cyclone to hit China this July and the 12th of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season. Hong Kong lowered its typhoon warning from Signal No. 9 to No. 8 after the worst of the storm passed, but heavy rain and the risk of flash floods and landslides kept much of the region on alert. The storm highlights how a string of cyclones can exhaust emergency systems and leave little time for recovery between events.

Why Southern China Keeps Getting Pounded by Tropical Cyclones

Warm Seas and a Crowded Coast Are a Volatile Mix

The north-west Pacific is the world’s most active basin for tropical cyclones, and southern China sits squarely in its path. Every summer, high sea surface temperatures and suitable atmospheric conditions fuel the formation of typhoons that often steer toward the Chinese coast. Guangdong and Hong Kong, with their dense populations and extensive coastlines, are especially exposed. Scientists say warmer oceans increase evaporation and provide more energy to developing storms, though many weather factors determine an individual typhoon’s strength.

Rain—Not Just Wind—Becomes the Bigger Killer

Once a typhoon moves inland, its winds weaken, but the risk does not disappear. Slow-moving storms can unleash enormous rainfall over a short period, triggering urban flooding, overflowing rivers and landslides. “The biggest danger often shifts from wind to water,” meteorologists note. In a warming climate, a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, making extreme downpours more likely during tropical cyclones. While no single storm can be directly blamed on climate change, the pattern of intensifying rainfall in typhoons is consistent with what scientists expect in a hotter world.

Staying Safe as Typhoon Season Worsens: Lessons from Noul

For communities in typhoon-prone areas, Noul offers immediate reminders:

  • Heed evacuation orders without delay: In Guangdong, early and large-scale evacuations kept people out of harm's way. When authorities call for evacuations, acting quickly saves lives.
  • Stay alert to flood risks after the winds ease: Heavy rain can persist for hours, causing flash floods and landslides. Avoid floodwaters and stay away from riverbanks and unstable slopes even after the storm appears to pass.