Landfall in the Philippines
Super Typhoon Ragasa, with wind gusts reaching 230 km/h (143 mph), made landfall over Panuitan Island in the northern Cagayan province on Monday afternoon. The Philippine weather authority warned of “catastrophic” conditions, including storm surges exceeding three meters, widespread flooding, and landslides that could cause severe damage to homes and infrastructure.
Impact Across the Philippines
Thousands of residents have been evacuated from vulnerable areas, including the remote Batanes and Babuyan islands, home to around 20,000 people. Schools and government offices have been shut in several regions, including Manila. The storm comes as the country continues to recover from weeks of heavy monsoon rains and flooding, which have fueled public anger over poor flood control infrastructure.
Regional Threats
Although Ragasa is not expected to make direct landfall in Taiwan, its eastern coast is bracing for heavy rains. Authorities have closed forest areas, nature trails, and ferry services. In China’s Guangdong province, officials warned of a “large-scale disaster” as the typhoon moves westward, with strong winds and rainfall expected as early as Tuesday. Shenzhen authorities plan to evacuate 400,000 people, while Hong Kong officials warned that weather conditions would deteriorate rapidly. Cathay Pacific announced the cancellation of 500 flights from Tuesday evening, with Hong Kong Airlines suspending all departures.
Looking Ahead
The super typhoon, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, is forecast to make landfall in southern China later this week before moving toward Vietnam. Authorities across East and Southeast Asia are implementing emergency measures as Ragasa threatens millions of residents with flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage.