China has evacuated more than 20,000 people from its southern region as powerful Super Typhoon Noul rapidly approaches the coast, state media reported, citing AFP. China’s National Meteorological Center said the storm could make landfall in coastal areas from Hong Kong to Guangdong province between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The weather office maintained its second-highest, orange alert under a four-tier warning system on Saturday.

The meteorological center warned of strong winds and heavy rainfall in parts of Guangdong and neighboring Fujian province. CCTV said that by Friday night, more than 20,000 people in Guangdong had been moved to safe shelters. All fishing vessels at sea were ordered to return to safe ports, and they have returned.

Transport and school activities have also been disrupted. Several train services in Guangdong were suspended on Saturday morning, while all rail services in the province are due to be suspended on Sunday, according to CCTV. Local media said schools in Chaozhou city, Guangdong, were instructed to temporarily halt educational and other activities. Extreme weather has already caused extensive damage in southern and central China this month.