Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest tropical cyclone of the year globally, made landfall in the southern Chinese city of Yangjiang on Wednesday after causing 17 fatalities in Taiwan and impacting Hong Kong with powerful winds and heavy rainfall.
The typhoon was moving towards Maoming, a significant oil refining city in Guangdong province, China. In Taiwan’s Hualien county, 17 individuals were reported missing following an overflow of a barrier lake that resulted in a sudden influx of water into a town during the recent heavy rains brought by Typhoon Ragasa.
While Taiwan is accustomed to typhoons, the residents of Guangfu in Hualien felt that the warning system was inadequate when the lake overflowed, prompting calls for an investigation into evacuation protocols. In Hong Kong, massive waves inundated parts of the eastern and southern coastlines, causing flooding on roads and properties.
China issued a red wave warning, its highest level, for the first time this year, predicting storm surges of up to 2.8 meters in parts of Guangdong province as Typhoon Ragasa headed towards the densely populated Pearl River Delta.
Ragasa originated in the Western Pacific and rapidly intensified into a Category 5 super typhoon with winds exceeding 260 kilometers per hour. In the Philippines, at least 10 fatalities were recorded, including seven fishermen who drowned when their boat capsized due to strong waves and winds off Santa Ana town. Approximately 700,000 people were affected in Luzon province, with thousands seeking refuge in emergency shelters.
As Ragasa weakened to a Category 3 typhoon, it made landfall on the south Chinese coast after passing south of Hong Kong. Cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, and Dongguan, home to millions, braced for its impact. Evacuations were carried out, and emergency supplies were dispatched to Guangdong province. The region faced flooding risks, prompting precautionary measures like using large trucks to shield storefronts and dispersing crowds from vulnerable areas.
In Shenzhen, the marine authority warned of potential flooding in low-lying regions, emphasizing the risk posed by storm surges. Incidents of individuals being swept into the ocean were reported, underscoring the dangers posed by the typhoon. In Hong Kong, numerous injuries were reported, leading to the opening of temporary shelters. Meanwhile, in Macau, casinos closed their gambling areas, and guests were confined to their premises for safety.
Overall, Typhoon Ragasa’s impact has been significant across multiple regions, highlighting the importance of preparedness and caution in the face of extreme weather events.