Super Typhoon Ragasa Slams the Philippines and Heads Toward China
Super Typhoon Ragasa has made a devastating landfall in the northern Philippines, forcing thousands of people to evacuate as authorities warn of what could be catastrophic consequences. Ragasa, which is packing wind gusts of up to 230 kilometers per hour—or about 143 miles per hour—was declared equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest classification possible. The storm struck Panuitan Island in Cagayan province around 3 p.m. local time on Monday, and from there it is expected to continue barreling west, moving toward southern China.
In the Philippines, a high risk of storm surges was announced, with waves forecast to climb over three meters high, or about ten feet. Widespread flooding and landslides are feared, and homes and infrastructure in its path are likely to face severe damage. Schools and government offices across large parts of the country, including Manila, were ordered closed as a precaution. On the remote Batanes and Babuyan islands, where the storm hit directly, around 20,000 residents—many of them living in poverty—were bracing for the brunt of the disaster.
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The typhoon arrives at a difficult moment for the Philippines. Weeks of unusually fierce monsoon rains had already triggered widespread flooding, leaving the nation in a fragile state even before Ragasa’s arrival. This backdrop of hardship has also fueled protests across the country, with tens of thousands of people rallying against government corruption that many blame for poor flood control systems and inadequate disaster preparedness.
Neighboring regions are also on alert. In Taiwan, while Ragasa is not expected to make direct landfall, the island’s eastern coast is already being drenched by heavy rains. Evacuations have begun in Hualien County, ferry services have been suspended, and nature trails have been closed. The storm’s effects are being felt even without a direct hit.
Meanwhile, in China, preparations are underway for what has been described as a “large-scale disaster.” Authorities in Guangdong province have issued warnings, saying heavy rains and strong winds will arrive by Tuesday, two days before Ragasa’s projected landfall. In Shenzhen, officials are preparing to evacuate as many as 400,000 people.
Hong Kong is also bracing for impact. Authorities there said weather conditions would “deteriorate rapidly” on Tuesday, and schools may be suspended. Airlines have begun canceling flights: Cathay Pacific announced 500 cancellations from tomorrow evening, while Hong Kong Airlines will suspend all departures.
With so many communities already vulnerable and resources stretched thin, Super Typhoon Ragasa is not just a weather event—it is a regional crisis unfolding across multiple countries. The storm’s destructive path has left millions on edge, watching and waiting as it pushes westward with unrelenting force.
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