China braces itself for heavy rain as tropical storm Noul edges closer
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The weather authorities expect the storm to make landfall overnight between July 25 and July 26.
PHOTO: EPA
HONG KONG – China on July 24 warned of heavy rain and severe flood risks as the third tropical cyclone in July tracked closer to the country’s southern coast, where it is expected to intensify over the weekend.
As at the morning of July 24, Noul was north-east of Philippine capital Manila, moving west-north-west at around 25kmh to 30kmh.
The tropical storm is forecast to move within 800km of Hong Kong later in the day, according to the city’s observatory.
The observatory said it would raise the city’s lowest typhoon signal by 8.40pm local time on July 24, and assess the need to raise the warning as Noul draws nearer.
Local winds are expected to strengthen gradually across southern coastal areas, with squally showers intensifying until July 25.
The mainland Chinese weather authorities project Noul will make landfall along the southern coast between Zhuhai in Guangdong province and Zhangpu in Fujian province between the night of July 25 and early morning on July 26 before moving inland and gradually weakening.
Cumulative rainfall across eastern Guangdong and southern Fujian could reach 500mm to 600mm in localised areas, meteorologists said.
Guangdong and Fujian are among China’s wettest provinces, each averaging roughly 2,000mm of rain every year.
Noul arrives after torrential downpours battered large parts of the country. In south-western China, rescue teams are still searching for more than 50 people who went missing following a deadly landslide in Chongqing municipality.
China is entering its peak flood control window – known as Qixia Bashang – from mid-July to mid-August. Weather experts warn that extreme rainfall will increase in frequency and intensity over the coming weeks, with much of northern China set to experience 20 per cent to 50 per cent more rain than usual.
Guangdong province will begin suspending rail services on July 25, with all high-speed and regular trains expected to stop on July 26, the authorities said.
In Zhuhai, a coastal city to Hong Kong’s west, all ferry services were set to be suspended on July 25 and 26 while all coastal scenic areas would be closed to visitors, according to a local government notice.
The name Noul was contributed by North Korea and refers to the glow of sunrise or sunset in Korean. REUTERS
