Typhoon Ragasa Leaves Trail of Death and Destruction Across Philippines and Southern China
Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms in years, battered Taiwan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and southern China this week, leaving dozens dead and forcing mass evacuations. In Taiwan, 15 people perished after a barrier lake overflowed in Hualien County, unleashing torrents that destroyed a bridge and swept away vehicles and homes in Guangfu township. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, at least 10 people lost their lives, most of them fishermen caught in the storm, with five others still missing. Nearly 700,000 people were affected there, and 25,000 sought safety in emergency shelters.
On China’s southern coast, the storm forced the evacuation of nearly 1.9 million people across Guangdong province. Ragasa made landfall on Hailing Island in Yangjiang city with winds reaching up to 144 kph, while some areas recorded gusts as strong as 241 kph — the highest since records began in Jiangmen city.
Cities like Zhuhai faced massive waves and flooding, while schools, factories, and transportation were suspended. Hong Kong and Macao also canceled schools and flights, with streets in the gambling hub turning into rivers as rescue teams used inflatable boats to evacuate trapped residents.
Hong Kong bore the brunt of fierce winds and waves that toppled hundreds of trees, tore apart parts of a pedestrian bridge, and sent seawater crashing into promenades and restaurants. A viral video showed a hotel lobby swamped by floodwaters. More than 80 people were injured in the city, while temporary shelters filled with residents seeking refuge.
The Hong Kong Observatory said Ragasa skirted just 100 kilometers south of the city with sustained winds of 195 kph, categorizing it as a super typhoon. It is now confirmed as the strongest tropical cyclone in the northwestern Pacific and South China Sea region this year, and the second-strongest since 1950, tying with recent devastating storms Saola (2023) and Yagi (2024).
