Typhoon Noul makes landfall in southern China, forcing evacuation of over 700,000 people

Typhoon Noul, the strongest storm to hit China in 2026, made landfall in Guangdong Province early on July 26, 2026, with winds of 162 km/h. The storm forced the evacuation of over 715,000 people in Guangdong and triggered China's highest flash flood alerts. In Hong Kong, the storm caused nine injuries, over 100 fallen trees, and the cancellation of 350 flights. China's central government allocated 100 million yuan for recovery efforts as the storm moved inland.

Typhoon Noul landfall timing

• ▪Typhoon Noul made landfall with maximum sustained winds near its eye measured at 162 kilometers per hour, making it the strongest typhoon to strike China so far in 2026.
• ▪Typhoon Noul made landfall near the town of Pinghai in Huidong County, Guangdong Province, at approximately 3:50 a.m. on July 26, 2026.

Guangdong province evacuations

• ▪Guangdong provincial authorities elevated the province's disaster relief emergency response to its second-highest level on July 26, 2026.
• ▪More than 715,000 people were relocated for safety in Guangdong Province due to Typhoon Noul.

Flight cancellations Hong Kong

• ▪Hong Kong airport authorities suspended most flight operations for more than 12 hours before gradually resuming flights on the afternoon of July 26, 2026.
• ▪Approximately 350 flights arriving at and departing from Hong Kong International Airport were cancelled on July 26, 2026.

Flash flood warnings

• ▪The National Meteorological Centre issued its first red typhoon warning of the year on the evening of July 25, 2026, before lowering it to orange and yellow alerts on July 26, 2026.
• ▪China declared its highest alert for flash floods in several provinces, with the National Meteorological Centre forecasting heavy to torrential rain across much of southern China from July 26 until July 27, 2026.

Infrastructure damage reports

• ▪The central government of China allocated 100 million yuan to support Guangdong Province in post-typhoon recovery and infrastructure reconstruction.
• ▪At least nine people were injured in Hong Kong and over 100 reports of fallen trees were received by the Hong Kong government during Typhoon Noul.

Recent typhoon history

• ▪Typhoon Maysak made landfall in southern China on July 3, 2026, preceding Typhoon Noul as the region's third tropical cyclone of the month.
• ▪Typhoon Bavi made landfall in eastern China on July 11, 2026, leading to the evacuation of more than 2 million people.