China renews orange alert as Typhoon Noul approaches the southern coast

China's National Meteorological Center renewed an orange alert for Typhoon Noul on Friday, warning that the storm is expected to strengthen into a typhoon before making landfall along the southern coast between Saturday night and early Sunday.

At 8 am on Friday, Noul, the 12th named storm of the year, was centered about 505 kilometers northeast of Manila in the Philippines, packing maximum sustained winds of 20 meters per second. Its central pressure was 995 hectopascals.

The storm is forecast to move west-northwest while steadily intensifying. It is expected to enter the South China Sea late Friday or early Saturday before approaching the coasts of Guangdong and Fujian provinces.

Forecasters said Noul is likely to make landfall between Zhuhai in Guangdong and Zhangpu county in Fujian between Saturday evening and early Sunday, with maximum sustained winds of 33 to 40 meters per second.

After landfall, the storm is expected to turn northward and gradually weaken as it moves inland.

Strong winds are forecast across the northeastern South China Sea, the Bashi Channel, the waters east of Taiwan, the Taiwan Strait, the southern East China Sea and coastal areas of Taiwan, Fujian, and Guangdong from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon.

Most of those areas are expected to experience sustained winds of at least 10.8 meters per second. Areas near the storm's center may experience winds of up to 41.4 meters per second.

Heavy rain is also forecast for parts of Taiwan from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon, with some areas expected to receive 100 to 180 millimeters of rainfall.

Local authorities are urged to activate emergency response measures and suspend large outdoor gatherings and hazardous outdoor operations. Ships operating in the affected waters are required to return to port or seek shelter.

Residents were advised to remain indoors, secure loose outdoor structures, and stay alert even if winds temporarily weaken when the eye of the storm passes, as dangerous conditions can quickly return.

Authorities also warned of the risk of flash floods and geological disasters triggered by heavy rainfall in affected areas.