The most powerful storm of 2025, Super Typhoon Ragasa, is still affecting Southeast Asia and the Philippines, Taiwan, and southern China have been severely affected as well as Hong Kong. The typhoon, which in the Philippines is referred to as Nando, landed in Panuitan Island (north of the Philippines) at the start of Monday and is currently heading westward towards southern China. The government in afflicted regions has placed emergency responses, such as evacuation, transportation shutdowns, and closures.
Ragasa Moves with Powerful Winds and Growing Threat
Ragasa was a super typhoon with a sustained wind of over 267 kilometres per hour (165 miles per hour) which places it under the Level 5 of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Even though it is slightly weakening, the storm is still a strong one as it is a Category 4 hurricane, with winds of approximately 230 kilometres per hour (145 miles per hour). According to the meteorological agencies, Rogasa is heading west-northwest at an approximate speed of 20 kilometres per hour (12 miles per hour). It presents continuous dangers of storm surges, flooding, and landslides in the direction it is predicted to go.
Trajectory of Super Typhoon Ragasa
Northern Philippines Faces Severe Impact and Evacuations
Ragasa fell directly on the northern part of the Philippines. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), heavy rainfall, destructive winds and flooding occurred leading to the displacement of more than 10000 people and most of them were the residents of the Babuyan Islands and the province of Cagayan. Schools and infrastructure were damaged including roofs being torn off buildings. The typhoon has been reported to claim two lives and injure nine people. The effect of the power outage was that some northern provinces experienced power outages which made relief a hustle. Schools and government offices such as those in the capital Manila, have temporarily shut down because of the severe weather.
Heavy rainfall in the Philippines on Monday
Southern China and Hong Kong Brace for Landfall
With Ragasa heading to southern China, the government has put in place full-scale preparedness measures. The province of Guangdong, which is one of the most densely populated areas of the world, has closed all work and schools, stopped the transport and placed an evacuation plan in low-lying coastal zones that are likely to be struck by storms. Schools and a number of businesses in Hong Kong have already shut down before the storm. The Hong Kong international airport intends to close all passenger flights, with the exception of 36 hours, a record flight suspension.
The local governments focus on ensuring an unbroken water, electricity, and commodity supply. Authorities have declared roadblocks and emergency measures such as the shutdown of 27 government car parks and the encouragement of sealing of private ones in the prone areas. Communication lines are open to liaise with the mainland Chinese government and the civil protection teams of Hong Kong.
Storm Surge Warnings Raise Flood Concerns Across Coastal Regions
The Philippine weather bureau has issued warnings about the “high risk of life-threatening storm surges” with wave heights predicted to exceed three metres (10 feet) in coastal regions. Flooding is anticipated to affect areas in northern Philippines, including Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Batanes, and Cagayan. In Guangdong and Hong Kong, authorities warn of similar risks to residents in low-lying areas. The continuing threat of flooding and landslides remains a key concern for emergency management teams.
Transport Shutdowns Affect Flights, Ferries, and Roads
Travel has been severely affected by the storm. Aside from Hong Kong’s extended airport closures, Taiwan has cancelled flights and suspended ferry services along its southern and eastern coasts. Roads across affected Filipino regions have become impassable due to floodwaters, limiting access for relief operations. Businesses in southern China have temporarily shut down, and public transport services have ceased in impacted regions to protect public safety.
Also Read: 4.3 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles San Francisco Bay Area, Emergency Services Spring into Action
Governments Activate Full Emergency Measures and Safety Plans
As a reaction to Ragasa, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr of the Philippines directed the disaster response agency to go to full alert by mobilising all the government departments. A special meeting held at the Civil Protection Operations Centre by the Macau government to review preparedness outlined a three phase approach that included precaution, response and recovery. There are five main focus areas, which consist of evacuation plans, implementation of traffic and emergency plans, communication maintenance, stability of utilities and the supply chain, and effective management of information to the people.
The Secretary of the Security and Joint Civil Protection Operations Commander of Macau emphasised the transparency and public morale in times of emergencies and stated that volunteer forces will help with the recovery after the storm. On the same note, the Secretary of Economy and Finance in Macau assured that casinos in the area will shut down once severe typhoon warnings are issued to protect tourism staff and tourists.
Typhoon Track Closely Monitored by Meteorologists
Ragasa is still being monitored by the meteorological agencies as it goes through the South China Sea. According to satellite information, the storm has been replaced by eyewalls and this has resulted in slight changes in intensity but has not reduced the strength of the entire storm much. The typhoon is predicted to hit the land in Guangdong province for the second time within 48 hours.
Governments in the region of attack remain very vigilant and encourage people to fully comply with evacuation orders as well as government safety guidelines. Communication also goes on between emergency response teams to control the situation and lessen the damage as the area prepares to receive the storm.
