BEIJING: Chinese authorities have evacuated more than 20,000 residents and suspended railway services in parts of southern China as Typhoon Noul approaches the country’s coastline, bringing the threat of torrential rain and gale-force winds.
According to China’s National Meteorological Center, the typhoon is expected to make landfall between Saturday evening and Sunday morning along the coastal region stretching from Hong Kong to Guangdong province.
Authorities have maintained an orange typhoon alert, the second-highest warning level in China’s four-tier emergency system.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that more than 20,000 people had been relocated from vulnerable areas in Guangdong province. Fishing vessels operating offshore have returned to port as a precaution, while emergency measures have been intensified across coastal communities.
Rail services in Guangdong will be partially suspended on Saturday, with all train operations across the province expected to halt on Sunday. Schools in Chaozhou city have also suspended on-campus activities to ensure the safety of students and staff.
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The latest storm comes weeks after Typhoon Maysak caused widespread destruction across southern and central China.
The earlier typhoon triggered severe flooding in Guangxi, where 39 people lost their lives, while thunderstorms and strong winds killed 11 people and injured more than 330 others in Hubei province.
Scientists have warned that climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events worldwide. China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 while continuing to expand its renewable energy capacity.
