Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful storm to hit the region this year, made landfall in the northern Philippines on Monday, unleashing torrential rains and destructive winds of up to 265 kph (165 mph). The storm's ferocity has prompted the evacuation of over 10,000 people, with authorities warning of life-threatening storm surges and widespread flooding. Schools, government offices, and non-essential work have been suspended across Manila and 29 provinces in the main northern Luzon region, as the nation braces for the typhoon's impact.
The super typhoon, known locally as Nando, rapidly intensified over the Philippine Sea, becoming the first super typhoon of the season in the Northwest Pacific. Satellite imagery captured its immense power, revealing clear mesovortices within its eye, a sign of a mature and formidable storm. Authorities issued the highest typhoon warning for the Babuyan Islands and urged residents in low-lying and coastal areas to evacuate ahead of anticipated storm surges reaching over 3 meters (10 feet).
In the northern province of Cagayan, rice fields have been submerged in floodwaters, catching many farmers by surprise and destroying crops. The storm's passage over the archipelago is expected to cause significant disruptions, with power outages reported on Calayan Island and Apayao province. The Philippine government has mobilized disaster response agencies and is closely monitoring the situation, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assuring that preemptive evacuations have been conducted and aid is being provided to those in evacuation centers.
As Ragasa moves westward, it poses a significant threat to other parts of East Asia. Hong Kong's airport is preparing to suspend all passenger flights for up to 36 hours, potentially affecting thousands of travelers, and Cathay Pacific has announced the cancellation of approximately 500 flights. Southern China, particularly Guangdong province, is also on high alert, with Shenzhen planning to evacuate 400,000 residents from flood-prone areas and suspend schools.
The Philippines and Taiwan have suspended classes and work in government offices in some provinces as a precautionary measure. Flights to outlying islands in Taiwan have been canceled, and ferry services have been suspended. The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday, but its impact on travel and commerce across the region is likely to continue for several days.
