China’s National Meteorological Centre issued the highest-level red alert as Typhoon Noul approached Guangdong, bringing the threat of powerful winds, torrential rain and flooding.
Beijing, (Economy India): China’s National Meteorological Centre (NMC) issued a red alert—the highest level in the country’s four-tier typhoon warning system—as Typhoon Noul approached the southern coast. The storm was forecast to make landfall along the coast of Guangdong Province.
Typhoon Noul is the 12th typhoon of the year and intensified as it moved toward southern China. As of 10 p.m. Saturday, the typhoon’s centre was located about 100 kilometres offshore, southeast of Huidong County in Huizhou City, Guangdong, with maximum winds near the centre reaching Force 14, according to the NMC.
Typhoon Forecast to Move Northwest
The NMC forecast that Noul would move northwestward at approximately 20 kilometres per hour while continuing to strengthen. After making landfall, the storm was expected to turn north-northwestward and gradually weaken as it moved inland.
The powerful storm brought the threat of strong winds, torrential rainfall and flooding to parts of southern China. Authorities were also on alert for possible flash floods, landslides, mudslides and urban waterlogging in vulnerable areas.
Emergency Response Raised
China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters raised the emergency response for flood and typhoon control in Guangdong to Level III, while a Level IV flood emergency response was activated in Jiangxi and Hunan provinces. Authorities were instructed to strengthen monitoring, assess risks and relocate residents from high-risk areas where necessary.
The authorities also urged local administrations to ensure that emergency rescue teams and equipment were positioned in vulnerable areas. Special attention was directed toward mountain floods, geological disasters, river flooding, reservoir safety and urban waterlogging.
Red Alert Signals Highest Typhoon Threat
China operates a four-tier, colour-coded warning system for typhoons. Red is the highest level, followed by orange, yellow and blue. The issuance of a red alert indicates the severity of the threat posed by the approaching storm and triggers heightened preparedness and emergency measures.
The storm later made landfall in Guangdong on Sunday and weakened from a severe typhoon to a typhoon, while authorities continued to warn of heavy rainfall and related disaster risks.
Focus on Safety and Disaster Prevention
With Typhoon Noul affecting southern China, authorities have focused on protecting lives, securing critical infrastructure and reducing the risk of flooding and other weather-related disasters.
The episode highlights the challenges faced by China’s southern coastal regions during the typhoon season, when powerful storms can bring a combination of destructive winds and intense rainfall.
For residents in affected areas, authorities have urged close attention to official weather warnings and emergency instructions as the storm moves inland and gradually loses strength.
The red alert for Typhoon Noul marked the highest level of China’s typhoon warning system, underscoring the seriousness of the threat as the powerful storm approached Guangdong’s coast.
(Economy India)
