Typhoon Noul, flash floods kill at least 10, force mass evacuations across China

At least 10 people have died and more than 800,000 residents have been evacuated after Typhoon Noul and torrential monsoon rains triggered devastating flash floods, landslides and widespread infrastructure damage across parts of southern and northwestern China.

Chinese disaster management authorities said the worst casualties were recorded in Gansu province, where powerful flash floods swept through mountainous communities, washing away vehicles and inundating homes. The severe weather comes just weeks after heavy rainfall caused reservoir overflows and dam failures in parts of Guangxi.

In Guangdong province, where Typhoon Noul made landfall as the country’s 12th major tropical cyclone of the year, gale-force winds and relentless rain submerged streets, caused rivers to overflow and left thousands of households without electricity. Authorities evacuated more than 800,000 residents from vulnerable areas as the storm intensified.

The extreme weather also caused major disruptions to transportation across several provinces. More than 400 flights were cancelled, while at least 150 high-speed rail services were suspended due to flooding, strong winds and damaged infrastructure.

Roads and highways were cut off by landslides and floodwaters in parts of Gansu and Sichuan provinces, hampering rescue operations and isolating some rural communities. Municipal drainage systems were overwhelmed in several cities, forcing the temporary closure of schools, markets and public transport services.

Strong winds also brought down electricity and communication lines, leaving tens of thousands of homes without power as emergency crews worked to restore essential services.

In response to the disaster, China’s National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief activated a Level-IV national emergency response to coordinate rescue efforts and provide relief to affected regions.

The National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan (about 14.7 million US dollars) to support emergency recovery efforts, including repairs to damaged roads, schools and water infrastructure.

Search-and-rescue teams, supported by local authorities, the military and the Ministry of Water Resources, have deployed boats, drones and heavy equipment to reach stranded residents, clear debris and restore access to affected communities.

Meteorological authorities have warned that the danger is far from over, with saturated ground and continuing rainfall increasing the risk of further flooding and landslides across southern China in the coming days.

Emergency officials have urged residents in high-risk areas to remain vigilant, follow evacuation orders and avoid travelling through flood-prone locations as rescue and recovery operations continue.