Super Typhoon Ragasa Strikes Philippines, Forcing Mass Evacuations

Thousands of residents in the Philippines have been relocated as Super Typhoon Ragasa, described by officials as potentially “catastrophic,” slammed into the country’s northern region.

According to the national weather bureau, Ragasa came ashore around 15:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Monday over Panuitan Island in Cagayan province, with wind gusts reaching up to 230km/h (143mph). The storm is projected to continue westward towards southern China in the coming days.

Meteorologists have issued warnings of a “high risk of life-threatening storm surge” with waves expected to exceed 3 meters (10 feet). Authorities also cautioned about landslides, flash floods, and severe damage to housing and infrastructure.

Classes and government offices were suspended in several provinces, including the capital, Manila.

The storm struck the isolated Batanes and Babuyan islands, home to roughly 20,000 people, many of whom live below the poverty line. These islands are located about 740km (460 miles) from Taiwan, where nearly 300 residents were evacuated from Hualien County as a precaution.

Although Ragasa is not expected to make direct landfall in Taiwan, the island’s eastern regions are forecast to experience torrential rainfall. Nature reserves, forest trails, and ferry services were closed in preparation.

Classified as the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, the super typhoon is also threatening southern China. Authorities in Guangdong province have urged residents to brace for a “catastrophic” and “large-scale disaster,” warning that strong winds and intense rainfall would begin as early as Tuesday.

The city of Shenzhen announced evacuation plans for around 400,000 people. In neighboring Hong Kong, officials said conditions would “deteriorate rapidly” on Tuesday. The city’s education bureau is reviewing school closures, while airlines are canceling flights. Cathay Pacific confirmed it would ground 500 flights from 18:00 local time tomorrow, and Hong Kong Airlines said all departures would be suspended.

Known locally as Nando, Ragasa arrives as the Philippines is still struggling with weeks of flooding triggered by a powerful monsoon season. Frustration over the government’s response spilled into the streets on Sunday, when tens of thousands protested nationwide, blaming corruption for the country’s weak flood control infrastructure.