Southern China is bracing for the arrival of Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm recorded globally this year. Authorities have initiated massive evacuations, with hundreds of thousands of people being moved to safety and at least ten cities ordering the closure of schools and some businesses. Hong Kong has escalated its typhoon warning to an ‘8’ signal, signaling the imminent threat posed by the storm.
Ragasa, which has been described as the “King of Storms” by China’s meteorological agency, is projected to make landfall in Guangdong province on Wednesday. So far, approximately 370,000 residents in the province have been evacuated as officials warn of a “catastrophic” situation. The typhoon is expected to continue its path towards northern Vietnam in the coming days, potentially impacting millions more.
The storm has already caused significant disruptions and damage in other parts of the region. Taiwan experienced some impact, with more than 100 international flights cancelled and several people injured. Earlier, Ragasa made landfall on a remote island in the northern Philippines, resulting in at least one fatality and forcing the evacuation of thousands of families. Manila and other major areas in the Philippines also faced school and government office closures.
Residents in Hong Kong have been stocking up on essential supplies, with supermarket shelves stripped bare of bread, vegetables, and other necessities as they prepare for the storm. The city’s airport anticipates major flight disruptions, with numerous Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines flights already cancelled. In coastal cities across southern China, businesses are reinforcing their premises with sandbags, and residents in low-lying areas are particularly concerned about potential storm surges and flooding.
The increasing intensity of typhoons like Ragasa is a growing concern, with scientists noting that a warming climate is likely contributing to more powerful storms globally. While the exact impact of climate change on Ragasa’s current strength is under investigation, the trend suggests an increase in wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and greater risks of coastal flooding associated with such weather events.
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