Over 20,000 residents have been evacuated in southern China as Typhoon Noul approaches, bringing the threat of torrential rain and gale-force winds. The National Meteorological Center issued an orange alert, the second-highest level, predicting landfall between Saturday evening and Sunday morning in the coastal areas from Hong Kong to Guangdong province. The province has suspended railway services and instructed schools to halt on-campus activities.
Evacuations and Safety Measures
State broadcaster CCTV reported that more than 20,000 people had been evacuated in Guangdong, while fishing vessels returned to ports for shelter. Train services in the province were partially suspended on Saturday and completely halted on Sunday.
Impact of Extreme Weather
This month has seen severe weather in southern and central China, with Typhoon Maysak causing devastating floods in Guangxi, killing 39 people, and triggering thunderstorms and gale-force winds in Hubei, resulting in 11 deaths and 331 injuries. Scientists warn that the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are likely to increase due to global warming.
China's Climate Commitments
As the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China is also a leading renewable energy producer, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060. The recent extreme weather events underscore the urgency of addressing climate change.
