Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms to hit the world this year, has hit northern Philippines as it heads next to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China.
The storm, which has reached category 4 strength, is carrying sustained winds of up to 215 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching as high as 265 km/h, raising alarms across a region frequently visited by tropical cyclones.
The Philippines, currently facing the brunt of the storm, has evacuated over 10,000 people from vulnerable coastal and mountainous areas.
The typhoon is expected to pass over the sparsely populated Batanes and Babuyan Islands in the country’s far north.
Despite not hitting major population centers directly, authorities warn of life-threatening storm surges and flooding, particularly in provinces like Cagayan, Batanes, and Ilocos Norte.
In anticipation of the typhoon’s impact, classes and government operations have been suspended across 29 provinces, including the capital, Metro Manila.
Taiwan is also preparing for significant impact, especially in its southern and eastern coastal regions. Ferry services to outlying islands have been suspended, and schools and workplaces in several counties have been closed.
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Emergency services are on high alert as landslides and flash floods are expected in mountainous areas.
Further north, Hong Kong is bracing for what could be one of its strongest typhoons in recent years. The Hong Kong Observatory has warned that Ragasa could bring winds exceeding 230 kilometers per hour as it moves closer to the territory.
In preparation, over 500 flights have already been canceled, and a 36-hour shutdown of Hong Kong International Airport is planned from Tuesday evening through Thursday morning.
Southern China’s Guangdong province, including the cities of Huizhou and Shenzhen, is in Ragasa’s projected path.
Local governments are deploying resources, reinforcing infrastructure, and issuing alerts to residents. The storm is expected to make landfall midweek between Guangdong and Hainan, bringing torrential rains, powerful winds, and coastal flooding.
Authorities across the region are warning that the next 24 to 48 hours will be critical. With large urban populations at risk and infrastructure already being tested, Ragasa poses a serious threat to life and property.
Emergency services, meteorological agencies, and local governments are coordinating closely to mitigate the storm’s impact, but officials stress that public cooperation and early evacuation will be essential to avoid disaster.
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