Southern China braces for typhoon Noul, suspends public transport

Strong winds and torrential rain lashed 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 ​the Asian financial hub of Hong Kong ⁠and Lufeng in China's southern province of Guangdong ​sometime between late Saturday and the next morning.

* ​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.

* ⁠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 ⁠halt on Sunday.

* From Saturday, operations at airports across Hong Kong, Guangzhou, ​Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Xiamen may be ​affected.

* Airline ⁠Cathay Pacific said it has cancelled flights between 1:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday from ⁠Hong ​Kong International Airport.

* The ​Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge has suspended operation on Saturday and Sunday.

-Reuters