Southern and central China prepare for floods as Typhoon Noul moves inland

The remnants of Typhoon Noul continued to move deeper into China on Tuesday, raising concerns over widespread flooding across several southern and central provinces. Although the storm has weakened since making landfall, weather experts warned that it could remain over inland areas longer than expected, increasing the threat of heavy rain and related disasters.

China’s National Meteorological Center said intense rainfall is expected to continue until Thursday across Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Henan and Guangxi. The downpours are being strengthened by the southern monsoon, creating conditions that could trigger floods, landslides and other emergencies in many parts of the country.

Officials are particularly concerned because the storm is moving north through mountainous regions where heavy rain can quickly destabilize slopes and send large amounts of water rushing into rivers and towns. State media warned that the combination of steep terrain and prolonged rainfall could increase the risk of landslides, mudslides and flash floods before the storm eventually weakens.

Typhoon Noul rapidly gained strength before striking Guangdong province over the weekend. According to state broadcaster CCTV, it was the strongest typhoon to hit China so far this year. Even though the storm has now lost much of its original power, authorities believe the danger is far from over because its remaining rain bands continue to bring significant rainfall over a wide area.

The Chinese government has stepped up emergency preparations as the country faces the overlap of typhoon season and its annual flood season. Emergency management and housing authorities have instructed local governments to strengthen flood prevention efforts, inspect roads, bridges, reservoirs and other important infrastructure, and move rescue teams and emergency supplies into areas considered most vulnerable. Officials have also ordered safety inspections at industries that could face additional risks during severe weather, including mining operations and factories dealing with hazardous chemicals and fireworks.

China experiences most of its typhoons between July and September, with August usually being the busiest period. Every year, powerful storms threaten coastal provinces before moving inland, where they often bring days of heavy rainfall that can cause serious damage far from the coastline.

Other parts of the country are also facing weather related challenges. Provinces including Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan have been placed on high alert after repeated periods of heavy rain increased the likelihood of geological disasters. In Gansu, authorities issued their highest level warning for landslides and mudslides late Monday after rocks and large boulders fell from mountain slopes onto roads in several areas, creating dangerous conditions for residents and travelers.

Meanwhile, rescue efforts are continuing in Chongqing following a deadly mountain collapse earlier this month. On July 17, part of a mountainside gave way and crashed onto buildings in a riverside township. Search teams are still looking for around 50 people who remain missing as authorities continue recovery operations in the affected area. The latest severe weather is expected to make those efforts even more challenging while increasing the risk of further disasters in already vulnerable regions.