China Braces for Super Typhoon Ragasa as Mass Evacuations Ordered
China has evacuated hundreds of thousands of residents and ordered widespread school and business closures as Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm of the year, barrels toward its southern coast.
Authorities in Guangdong province have already moved more than 370,000 people to safety ahead of the storm’s landfall on Wednesday, warning of potentially “catastrophic” impacts. The country’s meteorological agency has dubbed Ragasa the “King of Storms”, and forecasters expect it to track further toward northern Vietnam later this week, threatening millions more.
In Hong Kong, officials have raised the typhoon warning signal to eight, just two notches below the highest level. Panic buying has left supermarket shelves bare, with essentials like bread, vegetables, meat, and instant noodles quickly selling out.
The city’s international airport has warned of major flight disruptions, with more than 500 Cathay Pacific flights canceled and Hong Kong Airlines suspending all departures. Businesses across southern China are rushing to prepare, stacking sandbags and taping windows to minimize damage from tidal surges and fierce winds.
Climate Concerns Over Stronger Storms
While it’s unclear how much climate change has influenced Ragasa directly, scientists say a warming planet is making tropical cyclones more intense, producing stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and greater risks of coastal flooding.
Trail of Destruction Across Asia
Ragasa has already caused havoc in parts of Asia.
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In Taiwan, the storm injured at least six people and forced the cancellation of more than 100 international flights.
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In the Philippines, Ragasa battered a northern island, killing at least one person and forcing thousands of families to evacuate. Schools and government offices, including those in Manila, were shut down as precautionary measures.
At its peak, Ragasa packed winds of up to 285 km/h (177 mph), equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, unleashing dangerous storm surges, flooding, and landslides across the region.
Hong Kong on High Alert
Officials warn that Ragasa could rival some of the city’s worst storms in recent history. Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018 injured 200 people, sank ships, and caused nearly HK$4.6bn ($592m; £438m) in economic losses, while Typhoon Hato in 2017 left more than 100 people injured and triggered severe flooding.
Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan cautioned that Ragasa poses a “serious threat”, urging residents to take maximum precautions as the storm nears.