Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the strongest storms in 2025, is pounding southern China and Hong Kong with large-scale evacuations and overall disruption. At its peak sustained speed of 220 km/h (137 mph), Ragasa strengthened into a Category 5 super typhoon earlier this week.
Guangdong officials have declared a state of emergency, relocating more than 770,000 residents and deploying shelters in major cities like Shenzhen and Dongguan. The storm is forecast to bring storm surges of up to five meters, potentially causing catastrophic flooding and widespread damage to infrastructure.
In Hong Kong, the Observatory had already sent out a Signal No. 8, which suspended schools, offices, and public transportation. More than 700 flights were cancelled, and residents went to shop in bulk, and customers swarmed supermarkets. Despite the chaos, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange continued to operate, utilizing backup measures to maintain trading sessions.
The typhoon is currently causing destruction as it approaches land. Three fatalities are reported in the Philippines, while damage to bridges, particularly in Hualien County, and flooding have been reported in Taiwan.
While Ragasa is making landfall, authorities are urging individuals to stay indoors and take cover. Emergency responders are placed on standby to respond to flooding, power outages, and other emergencies induced by the storm. The extent of the typhoon will only be known once it hits land, but the large-scale evacuations and advance preparations have reduced the potential for something more dire to happen.
The typhoon suggests the growing vulnerability of Asia’s coastal metropolises to extreme weather events, which are increasing in frequency and severity with climate change. With economic hubs such as Shenzhen and Hong Kong in the direct path of the storm, resilient infrastructure and better disaster planning are more necessary than ever. The next few days will show how well these cities can recover from one of the strongest storms in recent history.
