Super Typhoon Ragasa Slams Philippines, Heads Toward Hong Kong and Southern China

Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful storm of 2025 so far, has battered parts of the Philippines and Taiwan and is now moving toward southern China, putting Hong Kong and Macau on high alert. With sustained winds exceeding 200 km/h and stronger gusts, Ragasa has already triggered mass evacuations, widespread flooding, and transport shutdowns across the region.

In the Philippines, particularly northern Luzon, the storm caused deadly landslides and flash floods. At least three people have been reported dead, several remain missing, and more than 17,500 residents have been displaced to evacuation centers. Infrastructure damage is widespread, with roads blocked, bridges washed away, and power outages reported in multiple provinces. Taiwan also faced heavy rainfall and flooding, forcing thousands to flee vulnerable areas as swollen rivers cut off access to remote communities.

As Ragasa approaches Guangdong province, Chinese authorities have ordered the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people from coastal cities, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai. Schools and businesses have been closed, flights grounded, and public transport suspended. Hong Kong has issued its storm Signal No. 8, warning residents of hurricane-force winds, torrential rains, and storm surges of up to five meters in low-lying coastal areas. Macau has implemented similar emergency measures, urging residents to prepare for possible flooding and power cuts.

Meteorologists warn that Ragasa could make landfall in Guangdong between late Tuesday and Wednesday, posing serious risks to one of China’s most densely populated and economically vital regions. Authorities across East Asia continue to stress caution, with emergency shelters set up and rescue teams on standby.

The storm underscores the vulnerability of coastal cities to extreme weather events, raising concerns over the growing frequency and intensity of super typhoons linked to climate change.