MANILA (BN24) — Super Typhoon Ragasa made landfall Monday on Panuitan Island, part of the Babuyan Islands in the northern Philippine province of Cagayan, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate amid warnings of life-threatening storm surges and widespread damage.
The Philippine weather bureau reported that while Ragasa has “slightly” weakened since it struck at 3 p.m. local time (0800 GMT), the typhoon still packed powerful wind gusts reaching 285 kilometers per hour (177 miles per hour). Forecasters expect the storm to move westward, targeting southern China next, with severe impacts anticipated.
Despite the minor decrease in intensity, authorities warned of a “high risk of life-threatening storm surge,” with peak waves potentially exceeding three meters (10 feet) along coastal areas. Officials also cautioned residents about the likelihood of extensive flooding and landslides that could damage homes and critical infrastructure.
In response, schools and government offices were closed in many regions, including the capital Manila, as communities braced for the typhoon’s impact. The remote Babuyan and Batanes islands, home to roughly 20,000 inhabitants, many of whom live in poverty, were particularly vulnerable.
Herbert Singun, an information officer on Calayan Island, described the storm’s devastation during a video call with Agence France-Presse. “Chunks of a school roof were ripped off and landed on an evacuation center about 30 meters away, causing a minor injury,” he said. “Can you see those coconut trees swaying in the distance? There were eight of them before. Now only four are still standing. That shows how strong this typhoon is.”
The storm is forecast to skirt Taiwan, located about 740 kilometers (460 miles) north of the Babuyan Islands. While not expected to make direct landfall, Taiwan’s east coast is bracing for heavy rains, leading to the closure of forest areas and nature trails and suspension of some ferry services.
In China’s Guangdong province, authorities have issued warnings to prepare for a “catastrophic” and “large-scale disaster” as Ragasa approaches. The province could experience heavy rains and strong winds as early as Tuesday, two days before the typhoon is expected to hit.
The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen plans to evacuate 400,000 residents in anticipation of the storm. At a supermarket in Shenzhen’s Bao’an district, an employee noted the unusual rush on Monday, reporting that bread had sold out by midday. “It’s not normally like this,” he said.
Hong Kong is also on alert, with officials forecasting a rapid deterioration of weather conditions on Tuesday. The city’s education bureau is evaluating whether to close schools. Cathay Pacific announced it would cancel 500 outbound flights starting from 6 p.m. local time Tuesday, while Hong Kong Airlines suspended all departures from the city.
Locally known as Nando, Typhoon Ragasa arrives as the Philippines continues to grapple with the aftermath of weeks of severe flooding caused by an unusually strong monsoon season. Just days before Ragasa’s arrival, tens of thousands protested nationwide against government corruption, which many blame for the lack of adequate flood control infrastructure.
As Ragasa moves westward, authorities across the region remain vigilant, preparing for the full force of the super typhoon’s destructive potential.
