Super Typhoon Ragasa Batters Philippines, Heads for China and Hong Kong
Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm recorded anywhere on Earth this year, has unleashed its power on the Philippines, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes. The massive storm, packing wind gusts close to 295 kilometers per hour, roared into the northern part of the country on Monday afternoon. Landfall was made over Panuitan Island, one of the Babuyan group in Cagayan province, and despite a slight weakening after arrival, the threat has remained severe.
Authorities reported that storm surges higher than three meters, along with heavy rains and violent winds, created a high risk of flooding and landslides. Whole communities were placed in danger as homes and infrastructure faced catastrophic damage. In Manila and other regions, schools and government offices were closed, leaving daily life at a standstill.
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On Calayan Island, pieces of a school roof were torn off and thrown onto a nearby evacuation center, injuring one person. Even coconut trees, known for their ability to withstand storms, were toppled in dramatic numbers. For the 20,000 people scattered across the Batanes and Babuyan islands, many living in poverty, this storm has left not only destruction but also uncertainty about recovery.
The impact of Ragasa has extended beyond Philippine shores. In Taiwan, hundreds of people were evacuated from coastal areas as heavy rains lashed the east, while mountain trails and forest parks were shut down. Ferries were canceled, and the island braced for days of rough weather, though a direct hit was not expected.
The storm’s next path is aimed toward southern China. Guangdong province has been warned of a “large-scale disaster,” with evacuation plans already underway. In Shenzhen, panic buying swept through supermarkets, leaving shelves stripped bare of bread and other essentials. The neighboring city of Hong Kong has also been preparing for the typhoon’s approach. Officials have announced that weather conditions will deteriorate quickly from Tuesday. Airlines have begun massive flight cancellations, with Cathay Pacific suspending over 500 flights and Hong Kong Airlines halting departures entirely. Qantas confirmed that flights to and from Hong Kong would be paused for at least 36 hours as the territory’s main airport gears up for disruption.
Ragasa, known locally in the Philippines as Nando, struck at a moment when the country was still reeling from weeks of monsoon-driven floods. The storm has underscored the vulnerability of communities already struggling with limited infrastructure and resources. While rescue and recovery operations have been launched, the true toll of the typhoon will become clearer only in the days ahead.
For now, the focus remains on survival, as the Philippines counts the cost of this disaster while China and Hong Kong brace for Ragasa’s next strike.
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