Beijing, September 24 (H.S.): Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful storm to approach China this year, has left at least 14 people dead and 18 injured in Taiwan, while forcing the evacuation of more than 1.04 million residents in southern China’s Guangdong province ahead of its landfall expected later on Wednesday.

According to Taiwan’s emergency operation centre, around 100 people remain trapped in different parts of the island, awaiting rescue operations. The storm has unleashed widespread damage, with torrential rains, flooding, and powerful winds wreaking havoc. In Hualien County, a dam at a barrier lake overflowed on Tuesday afternoon, flooding surrounding areas.

China’s National Meteorological Centre reported that Ragasa’s impact was already being felt in the Pearl River Delta region, where wind speeds of up to 212 km/h were recorded in Zhuhai city. The typhoon’s outer circulation has continued to lash Taiwan’s eastern, northern, and southern coasts with heavy rain.

In response, China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters elevated the emergency response to Level III for Guangdong and Hainan provinces. Authorities are strengthening infrastructure and preparing for flooding risks, including stormwater backflow.

The storm has caused widespread transport and infrastructure shutdowns. Guangzhou cancelled all flights until Wednesday evening, while Zhuhai cancelled 21 flights on Tuesday. In Shenzhen, a key high-tech hub, the airport has been closed since Monday. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is also shut, and public transport across Shenzhen—including buses, taxis, and subways—has been suspended.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar