The Chinese city of Shenzhen is preparing to evacuate 400,000 people as Super Typhoon Ragasa advances toward southern China, while residents in the northern Philippines sought refuge from its powerful winds on Monday.
The typhoon made landfall on Calayan Island, part of the Babuyan chain, at 3:00 pm (0700 GMT), according to the Philippine weather service. By 5:00 pm (0900 GMT), the storm’s centre carried sustained winds of 215 kilometres per hour (134 mph), with gusts reaching up to 295 kph.
In Aparri, Cagayan province, residents described the howling winds rattling windows. On Calayan Island, strong gusts tore part of a school roof, which struck an evacuation centre and caused a minor injury. “There were eight coconut trees here before, now only four are standing,” said local officer Herbert Singun, highlighting the storm’s intensity.
More than 10,000 Filipinos have been evacuated nationwide, with schools and offices closed across Manila and 29 provinces. In Shenzhen, authorities announced a large-scale evacuation from coastal and low-lying areas, while other Guangdong cities suspended schools, offices, and public transport.
Cathay Pacific confirmed it will cancel over 500 flights, with operations at Hong Kong International Airport halted from Tuesday evening until Thursday daytime.
Taiwan’s weather bureau warned of “extremely torrential rain” in the east, as the storm’s 320-kilometre radius extended its impact. Evacuations are underway in mountainous Pingtung amid fears of damage similar to Typhoon Koinu two years ago.
Philippine authorities also warned of severe flooding and landslides in northern Luzon, just a day after nationwide protests over corruption scandals tied to flood control projects.
The Philippines, struck by an average of 20 storms annually, remains one of the most disaster-prone countries in the Pacific cyclone belt. Experts caution that climate change is making these typhoons increasingly destructive.
