Strong winds and torrential rain lashed southern China on Saturday, brought by a strengthening typhoon Noul, weather authorities said, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel as transport links could be disrupted.
Noul, the 12th typhoon of the year, is forecast to hit the coast between Hong Kong and Lufeng in the southern province of Guangdong sometime between late Saturday and Sunday morning.
Cathay Pacific said on Saturday that it would cancel flights between 1.15am and 6pm on Sunday from Hong Kong International Airport.
The National Meteorological Centre warned that Guangdong, and the nearby provinces of Fujian, Jiangxi and Hunan would be directly affected by Noul. It urged people to take precautions, avoid unnecessary travel and watch for disaster threats.
Cumulative rainfall across eastern Guangdong and southern Fujian could reach 500 to 600 millimetres in localised areas, meteorologists said.
More than 20,000 people were relocated in areas across Guangdong by Friday evening.
Guangdong began suspending rail services on Saturday, with high-speed and regular trains expected to be halted on Sunday.
From Saturday, operations at airports across Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Xiamen may be affected, authorities said.
As well, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge has suspended operations on Saturday and Sunday.
Extreme weather has already wreaked havoc on southern and central China this month, with 39 people killed when Typhoon Maysak triggered devastating floods in Guangxi.
Maysak also caused thunderstorms and gale-force winds that killed 11 people and injured 331 in the central province of Hubei.
Scientists warn the intensity and frequency of global extreme weather events will increase as the planet continues to heat up because of fossil fuel emissions.
