Authorities in China and the Philippines braced on Monday as Super Typhoon Ragasa approached, prompting large-scale evacuations and widespread warnings.
The typhoon made landfall at 3:00 pm (0700 GMT) on Calayan Island in the Babuyan group of islands in the northern Philippines. Maximum sustained winds reached 215 km/h (134 mph), with gusts up to 295 km/h, the Philippine weather service reported.
“I woke up because of the strong wind. It was hitting the windows like a machine switched on,” said Tirso Tugagao, a resident of Aparri in Cagayan province.
On Calayan Island, the storm damaged buildings, with portions of a school roof blown onto a nearby evacuation centre, causing one minor injury, local information officer Herbert Singun said. “Only four out of eight coconut trees are still standing,” he added, illustrating the typhoon’s strength.
Over 10,000 people have been evacuated across the Philippines, and schools and government offices were closed in Manila and 29 provinces. Severe flooding and landslides are expected in northern Luzon, according to government weather specialist John Grender Almario.
In China, authorities in Shenzhen prepared to move 400,000 people from coastal and low-lying areas. Cities across Guangdong province announced class cancellations, halted public transportation, and other precautionary measures.
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific warned that more than 500 flights would be canceled, with airport operations suspended from 6:00 pm Tuesday until Thursday daytime hours.
Taiwan’s weather service forecast “extremely torrential rain” in eastern regions. Evacuations are underway in mountainous areas, with officials warning of potential damage similar to Typhoon Koinu in 2023.
The Philippines, often the first landfall for Pacific typhoons, faces an average of 20 storms annually. Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying these events, increasing the risk of flooding and destruction in vulnerable communities.
Ragasa’s wide wind field, combined with its heavy rainfall, poses a significant threat to millions, prompting urgent preparations across multiple countries in East Asia.
