Guangdong closes fishing operations ahead of Typhoon Noul's arrival

As Typhoon Noul approaches, fishing vessels operating in the sea east of Zhuhai, Guangdong province, were ordered to return to port for shelter by 4 pm on Friday, with all personnel being required to come ashore, according to local flood control and drought relief authorities.

As of 8 am on Friday, the center of Noul, the 12th named storm of this year, was located approximately 911 kilometers southeast of Nan'ao Island, with maximum wind speeds near the center reaching 8 on the Beaufort scale (20 meters per second), according to the National Meteorological Center.

All personnel from offshore wind power construction platforms have also been required to evacuate, and sea fishing boats and diving and other recreational vessels are prohibited from going out to sea, the authorities said. Coastal scenic spots and cross-sea routes east of Zhuhai are to be completely closed.

Noul is predicted to make landfall on the central to eastern coast of Guangdong between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, bringing heavy rainfall across most parts of the province, according to meteorological authorities.

Guangdong has issued a Level IV emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention, taking effect from 9 am on Friday. China has a four-tier warning system for flood and typhoon prevention, with Level I being the most severe.