Chinese disaster authorities entered an emergency response posture as Typhoon Noul (known as Hongxia in China), the 12th typhoon of the season, was forecast to make landfall along the coasts of Guangdong and Fujian provinces between July 25 and 26.

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The Chinese Coast Guard has stepped up patrols in eastern Guangdong Province, where Typhoon Noul, the year's 12th typhoon, is expected to make landfall, in an effort to minimize damage. / Beijing News (新京報)

According to China's National Meteorological Center on July 24, Typhoon Noul is expected to enter the northeastern South China Sea between tonight and early morning on July 25 before moving north toward the coasts of Guangdong and Fujian provinces. It is then forecast to make landfall in the area between Zhuhai in Guangdong Province and Zhangpu in Fujian Province between the night of July 25 and the morning of July 26.

As of 11:00 a.m. (local time) on the same day, Typhoon Noul was moving north at a speed of 25 to 30 km/h over waters approximately 910 km southeast of Shanwei, Guangdong Province, according to the National Meteorological Center. Central atmospheric pressure was recorded at 995 hectopascals (hPa), with maximum wind speeds near the center reaching 20 meters per second. Consequently, the center issued an orange typhoon alert at 10:00 a.m. while maintaining blue alerts for heavy rain and severe convective weather.

China has been suffering mounting damages as natural disasters including typhoons, torrential downpours, tornadoes, and landslides strike in succession. Concerns are growing that the 12th typhoon, Noul, could also inflict substantial damage.

Earlier, Typhoon Mayak, the 10th typhoon of the season, battered China, leaving 39 people dead and 9 missing. Affected residents reached an estimated 2.6 million. Damaged farmland spanned approximately 1,267,000 hectares, with around 730 homes destroyed.

Taiwan is also expected to face the impact of the approaching typhoon. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration urged residents to take thorough precautions, forecasting heavy rainfall in Hualien, northeastern Taiwan, and the Hengchun Peninsula from the night of July 24 through early morning on July 25 due to Typhoon Noul.

                                                                                                           Hong Soon-do