By The South Asia Times

BEIJING, July 26 — Typhoon Noul, the strongest typhoon to strike China this year, made landfall in southern Guangdong Province on Sunday, forcing the evacuation of more than 715,000 people, grounding hundreds of flights and triggering a nationwide emergency response.

The typhoon, the 12th of the year, came ashore in Huidong County as a strong typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 45 meters per second, making it the most powerful storm to hit China in 2026 and the first typhoon to make landfall in Guangdong this year, according to China Central Television (CCTV).

China's National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief activated a Level IV disaster relief response, while the National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan (about $14.8 million) in central government funding to support post-typhoon recovery. The funds will be used to repair damaged infrastructure, schools, hospitals and other public facilities.

Authorities said 715,351 residents had been evacuated across Guangdong by midnight Sunday. Twelve cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Shantou and Zhuhai, suspended classes, work, public transport, business operations and other activities to reduce risks from the storm.

The typhoon severely disrupted transportation, with 377 flights canceled at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and 374 flights canceled at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport by Sunday morning. High-speed and conventional rail services across Guangdong were also suspended, while airports in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Jieyang and Xiamen adjusted flight schedules.

China's national observatory initially issued its highest-level red typhoon alert on Saturday night before downgrading it to an orange alert Sunday morning. Red rainstorm warnings and yellow alerts for severe convective weather remained in effect.

Forecasters warned that after moving inland, Typhoon Noul is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Jiangxi, Hunan and Hubei provinces, with rainfall likely to continue through Tuesday and impacts extending as far as Henan and Shandong.

The National Meteorological Center forecast torrential to exceptionally heavy rainfall across Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan and southeastern Taiwan through Monday. Authorities identified 43 counties in Guangdong, Jiangxi and Hunan as facing the highest risk of flash floods.

China's Ministry of Water Resources upgraded its flood-control emergency response for Guangdong, Jiangxi and Hunan to Level III, deploying additional emergency teams to assist local authorities. Officials also warned of heightened risks of landslides, flash floods, river flooding and urban inundation, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and closely follow official weather advisories.

According to Global Times, Typhoon Noul has become the most powerful typhoon to make landfall in China so far this year, underscoring the growing challenges posed by extreme weather during the country's annual typhoon season.