Southern China Prepares for Super Typhoon Ragasa

News Summary

Southern China is bracing for the impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa, anticipated to make landfall in Guangdong province. The typhoon has already caused significant damage in the Philippines, leading to fatalities and displacements. Hong Kong is preparing for severe weather with storm warning signals and school closures in affected regions. Heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected, prompting evacuation plans for vulnerable populations. Authorities are implementing emergency measures as they monitor the storm’s progression and impact.

Southern China Braces for Super Typhoon Ragasa

Residents and officials in southern China are gearing up for the arrival of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which is expected to make landfall in Guangdong province. This powerful storm has already wreaked havoc in the Philippines, resulting in three fatalities and the displacement of thousands of people due to severe flooding and landslides.

The Hong Kong Observatory has reported that Ragasa is a super typhoon, with maximum sustained winds nearing 143 mph (230 kph). The storm is moving west-northwest at approximately 14 mph (22 kph), heading towards the coast of Guangdong province. China’s National Meteorological Center forecasts the storm will make landfall on Wednesday, specifically between Shenzhen city and Xuwen county.

In anticipation of the storm, Hong Kong plans to issue storm warning signal No. 8, the third-highest in its weather alert system. It is predicted that water levels could rise significantly, with projections indicating a potential increase of up to 4 to 5 meters (13.1 to 16.4 feet) in some areas. Residents are taking precautions by placing sandbags and barriers at their doors and taping up windows. As fear of the storm’s impact grows, many have begun stockpiling essential supplies, leading to empty shelves in local supermarkets.

The impending typhoon has prompted school closures in Hong Kong and Macao, along with class cancellations in Shenzhen, Foshan, and Haikou. Moreover, air travel disruptions are significant, with hundreds of flights in Hong Kong canceled and Shenzhen airport suspending all flights from Tuesday night. The Macao government has activated its emergency response mechanism, as Ragasa is expected to pass within 62 miles (100 kilometers) south of the region.

The impact of Ragasa has already been felt harshly in the Philippines, where, in addition to three reported deaths, over 17,500 residents have been displaced. A tragic incident in the Philippines involved a 74-year-old man who died after being trapped in a vehicle during a landslide. In response to the storm, the Philippine government closed schools and government offices across the capital region and 29 northern provinces. All fishing boats and ferries have been prohibited from venturing out due to the hazardous seas created by Ragasa.

In northern Cagayan Province, where Ragasa initially made landfall, reports indicate severe damages with numerous homes destroyed and fallen trees. A search and rescue operation is currently underway for six fishermen who were reported missing after high waves overturned their boat. Additionally, over 24,000 people were evacuated in anticipation of the approaching typhoon.

As the storm weakens slightly, it remains categorized as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of around 145 mph (230 kph). In light of the approaching storm, officials in Shenzhen are preparing to evacuate approximately 400,000 people from vulnerable areas as a precautionary measure.

Authorities in Guangdong are bracing for heavy rainfall, with accumulations expected to reach up to 280 mm (11 inches). Emergency measures are already being implemented across the province, which includes the suspension of rail services starting midday Tuesday. Reports indicate that video footage captured from Taiwan shows rough seas and strong winds as Ragasa’s outer bands begin to affect the region.

The situation is being closely monitored, as state weather services in Taiwan have forecasted extremely torrential rain in eastern regions, with citizens also preparing for the incoming storm. Meanwhile, the macroscopic view of Ragasa has been captured by Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui aboard the International Space Station, providing a stark reminder of the typhoon’s magnitude from above.

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Additional Resources

• CNN: Southern China Prepares for Super Typhoon Ragasa
• Wikipedia: Typhoon
• China Daily: Typhoon Ragasa Updates
• Google Search: Super Typhoon Ragasa
• Al Jazeera: Super Typhoon Heads to Taiwan and Hong Kong
• Google Scholar: Typhoon Ragasa
• ABC News: China Cancels Schools and Flights for Typhoon
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Typhoon
• South China Morning Post: China Braces for Super Typhoon Ragasa
• Google News: Typhoon Ragasa