China evacuates 340,000 people as Typhoon Noul approaches

BEIJING: Authorities have evacuated more than 340,000 people and suspended work and rail services as Typhoon Noul approaches southern China, with flight cancellations announced in the financial hub of Hong Kong.

The typhoon is forecast to make landfall along the coast between Shenzhen and Haifeng in Guangdong province early Sunday, China’s National Meteorological Center said.

The Chinese weather forecaster issued a red typhoon alert on Saturday night, the highest level in its four-tier system. Parts of Guangdong and neighbouring Hunan, Fujian and Jiangxi provinces are set to receive heavy rainfall from Saturday night to Sunday night, it said.

When the typhoon makes landfall, it is forecast to have maximum sustained winds of 151-173 kilometres per hour (94-107 miles per hour). More than 340,000 people have been evacuated in Guangdong, Xinhua news agency said.