More than 10,000 people have been evacuated in northern Philippines as Super Typhoon Ragasa (locally called Nando) lashed the region with winds up to 270 km/h. The storm made landfall at the remote northern tip of Luzon, the heavily populated northern island of the Philippines.
The Philippines’ meteorological agency warned of life-threatening conditions, heavy rains, and landslides in northern areas already struggling from previous flooding.
A 74-year-old man in Benguet Province tragically died after his car was crushed in a landslide, while three other vehicles were buried in rubble. Authorities urged residents to take precautionary measures and evacuate vulnerable areas.
Massive Evacuations and Safety Measures
Over 100,000 people were relocated in Manila, with roughly 1,200 staying in evacuation centers and the remainder seeking shelter with relatives or friends. Authorities warned of storm surges over three meters (10 ft), flooding, and structural damage.
Residents were advised to:
- Stockpile emergency supplies
- Reinforce doors and windows
- Evacuate to safe underground areas
Hong Kong and Taiwan Brace for Typhoon Ragasa
Hong Kong International Airport announced plans to suspend all passenger flights for 36 hours, starting 6 PM on September 23 until 6 AM September 25. Cathay Pacific alone expects to cancel over 500 flights.
All schools in Hong Kong and Macao will be closed for the next two days. Authorities distributed additional sandbags and urged low-lying residents to prepare for possible evacuation.
In Taiwan, about 3,500 people were evacuated from eastern and southern regions, and several national parks were temporarily closed.
Southern China Prepares for Typhoon Impact
As Typhoon Ragasa moves westward toward Hong Kong and southern Guangdong Province, cities such as Jiangmen, Yangjiang, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai have suspended schools, offices, factories, and transportation.
China’s weather agency warned that Ragasa could make landfall more than once, bringing torrential rains, heavy winds, and widespread flooding.
Typhoon Ragasa: Global Significance
According to The Weather Network, Ragasa is currently the strongest storm worldwide this year, emphasizing the urgent need for preparedness across the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China.
Authorities continue to monitor the storm closely, issuing warnings and safety instructions to minimize casualties and damage.
