Super Typhoon Ragasa: The Year’s Most Powerful Storm Causes Chaos Across Asia

Super Typhoon Ragasa, the mightiest storm of the year, is sweeping towards China, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake as it brings major cities like Hong Kong and Macau to a standstill. As of Tuesday, the typhoon has already wreaked havoc in the Philippines, where reports confirm at least three fatalities and thousands displaced due to floods and landslides.

Tragedy struck in northern Luzon when a 74-year-old man was caught in his vehicle as mud and rocks engulfed it in Benguet province. Following this, two more lives were lost in Calayan town, the first area to feel the typhoon’s wrath.

In a nation on high alert, more than 17,500 individuals have been uprooted from their homes, with five still unaccounted for. Schools, government offices, and transportation systems have all come to a grinding halt across 29 provinces, as ferries and domestic flights were grounded.

Affectionately called “Nando” locally, this monstrous storm made landfall with sustained winds of 215 km/h and terrifying gusts of up to 295 km/h, according to the Philippine weather bureau, PAGASA.

Now moving west-northwest over the South China Sea, Ragasa is set to strike southern China late Tuesday into Wednesday, prompting officials in Hong Kong to raise the Signal 8 typhoon warning. This third-highest alert forced schools and public offices to shut down, as authorities warned residents of potential hurricane-force winds and perilous storm surges reminiscent of Super Typhoon Mangkhut’s ferocity in 2018. The Hong Kong airport, while still operational, cautioned travelers to prepare for “significant disruption” from Tuesday evening into Wednesday, resulting in around 700 flight cancellations and the closure of ferries and major highways.

In broader Asia, FlightRadar24 data reveals that 86 regional departures to various destinations have been grounded, leaving countless travelers stranded. Meanwhile, mass evacuations are taking place across China, particularly in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, where nearly 400,000 people are being relocated. Major cities like Shenzhen and coastal Zhuhai have halted work, transportation services, and school operations as the storm looms large.

As the storm intensifies, reports indicate that the Chinese government has evacuated over 7,600 citizens from mountainous regions. Transport disruptions continue to plague the area, with 273 flights canceled and several rail services paused.

Forecasters predict Ragasa to maintain its fierce strength for the next 24 hours before it slightly weakens upon approaching southern China. The country’s National Meteorological Centre is keeping a close watch as the typhoon is expected to make landfall between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang on Wednesday afternoon.

As of Tuesday morning, Ragasa was recorded with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h and gusts reaching 230 km/h, keeping communities on high alert as they brace for the storm’s imminent arrival.