Authorities in Hong Kong have suspended schools and some businesses as the city braces for Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest tropical storm of the year.
The Hong Kong Observatory announced plans to raise the typhoon signal to level 8, the city’s third-highest warning. This alert indicates the arrival of severe winds and storm conditions, with most passenger flights expected to be grounded until early Thursday.
Super Typhoon Ragasa has already caused destruction in the northern Philippines, where it swept through on Monday. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and local communities were forced to seek shelter. The storm’s powerful winds, reaching up to 220 km/h (137 mph), now threaten southern China, including Guangdong province.
More than 700 flights have been canceled, according to airport authorities, creating major travel disruptions. Public transport is also likely to face delays as the storm advances closer to Hong Kong. The Observatory has also warned of possible sea surges, urging residents in low-lying areas to remain alert.
Nearby Macau and the tech hub of Shenzhen are also preparing for the storm’s impact. Officials in both cities have set up evacuation centers and activated emergency shelters for residents. Businesses have been urged to close early, and ferry services have been suspended.
Hong Kong’s government has asked the public to stay indoors, stock up on essentials, and avoid coastal areas. Emergency crews remain on standby for possible flooding, power cuts, and fallen debris once the typhoon makes landfall.
The approach of Super Typhoon Ragasa highlights the growing risks faced by Asian financial and trade hubs during extreme weather events. Disruptions to flights and shipping not only affect local economies but also global supply chains. Similar challenges were noted recently in the Gulf of Aden, where a blast near a vessel off Yemen underscored how fragile international transport routes can be in times of crisis.
Climate experts point out that stronger typhoons like Ragasa are becoming more frequent, with rising sea temperatures contributing to their intensity. They warn that coastal cities such as Hong Kong must continue strengthening defenses against storm surges and flooding.
As Super Typhoon Ragasa edges closer, residents across southern China remain on high alert. The coming hours will be critical in determining the scale of damage and the speed of recovery once the storm passes.
