Typhoon Noul Skirts Hong Kong, Makes Landfall in Guangdong; Storm Signal Lowered to No. 8

Severe Typhoon Noul brushed past Hong Kong early Sunday, prompting the cancellation of hundreds of flights and high-speed rail services before making landfall along the Guangdong coast. The Hong Kong Observatory lowered its warning from Signal No. 9 to Signal No. 8 by mid-morning as the storm moved inland and began to weaken.

China's national weather center said Noul came ashore near Huidong county in Huizhou, in southern Guangdong province, at around 3:50 a.m. local time, packing maximum sustained winds of roughly 140 to 150 km/h (90 mph). The storm passed no closer than about 80 to 100 kilometers northeast of Hong Kong at its nearest point.

Signal Escalation Through the Weekend

The Observatory's response to Noul unfolded in stages over two days. The No. 1 standby signal went up Friday evening, followed by the No. 3 strong wind signal on Saturday afternoon as squally showers and gusty winds spread across the city. Typhoon Bavi Death Toll Rises to 18 in Philippines; Relief Efforts Underway.

Typhoon Noul Live Updates

Conditions deteriorated further overnight. The Observatory upgraded to Signal No. 8 at 10:10 p.m. Saturday, and then to Signal No. 9 in the early hours of Sunday as Noul intensified into a severe typhoon. Officials said they were monitoring whether conditions would warrant Signal No. 10, the highest level in Hong Kong's warning system, but ultimately did not issue it. By 7:10 a.m. Sunday, with Noul moving into inland Guangdong and losing strength, the signal was reduced back to No. 8. Super Typhoon Bavi Makes Landfall on US Pacific Island Near Guam With 150 mph Winds, Heads Toward Philippines.

At the height of the storm, gale to storm-force winds were recorded across the city, with the strongest gusts on outlying islands. Waglan Island, Green Island and Cheung Chau all logged sustained winds above 65 km/h, with gusts topping 100 km/h in places.

Transport and Daily Life Disrupted

The approaching typhoon forced widespread disruption to travel. More than 150 flights were cancelled at Hong Kong International Airport over the weekend, a number that later grew past 410 as the storm neared its closest point to the city. Around 150 high-speed rail services were also called off.

The Home Affairs Department opened 28 temporary shelters for residents seeking refuge from the storm. The Education Bureau suspended afternoon classes on Saturday for kindergartens and schools serving children with physical and intellectual disabilities.

One safety incident was reported in the city: part of a large scaffolding structure on a high-rise building collapsed Saturday afternoon. Police said initial reports indicated no injuries.

Regional Impact in Guangdong

Noul's effects were felt more directly across the border in mainland China. Authorities in Guangdong evacuated more than 340,000 people as the storm approached, with the province placed on high alert ahead of landfall.

The storm was the 12th typhoon of the season and the third system to threaten the region within the month, following Typhoon Bavi earlier in July, which had triggered the evacuation of more than 2 million people in eastern China.

Taiwan also felt Noul's outer effects, with the island's Central Weather Administration reporting rain across southern and eastern areas as the storm passed over waters to the south before moving away.

What Comes Next

With Noul tracking northwest into inland Guangdong, the Observatory said local winds would gradually shift to the southwest, and cautioned that areas previously sheltered from the wind could become more exposed as the storm's structure changed direction. Seas remained rough, with high swells continuing along the coast.

The Observatory advised residents to remain alert, stay away from coastal areas, and avoid water sports until conditions fully stabilize. Further signal changes were expected as Noul continued to weaken over land.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2026 07:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).