Manila, 23 September (H.S.): Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm recorded globally in 2025, has made landfall in the northern Philippines, forcing thousands to evacuate and prompting widespread preparations across Southeast Asia for what officials are calling a potentially catastrophic event. The typhoon is now tracking west across the South China Sea, with southern China and Hong Kong directly in its path.

The storm struck Panuitan Island in the remote Cagayan province on Monday afternoon, unleashing powerful wind gusts of up to 285 km/h (177 mph). The Philippine state weather bureau, while noting a slight weakening, has maintained urgent warnings for a high risk of life-threatening storm surge that could exceed three meters, in addition to widespread flooding and landslides. In response, schools and government offices have been closed in large parts of the country, including the capital, Manila. Initial reports from the affected islands describe significant structural damage.

As the typhoon progresses, authorities across the region are on high alert.

China: Officials in Guangdong province have advised residents to prepare for a large-scale disaster. The city of Shenzhen alone has announced plans to evacuate 400,000 people ahead of the storm’s arrival.

Hong Kong: The city is bracing for a rapid deterioration in weather conditions on Tuesday. Flag carrier Cathay Pacific has preemptively cancelled 500 flights, and Hong Kong Airlines has suspended all departures.

Taiwan: Although not in the direct path, the island is expecting torrential rain on its eastern coast, and nearly 300 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas in Hualien county.

Ragasa, known locally as Nando, arrives as the Philippines grapples with the aftermath of severe monsoon flooding that has affected the nation for weeks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar