Hong Kong braces for devastating winds and flooding
Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest tropical cyclone of 2025, is causing major disruption across Hong Kong. With wind speeds reaching up to 220 km/h (137 mph), Ragasa is approaching southern Guangdong Province, triggering serious warnings and shutdowns across the region.
The Hong Kong Observatory plans to raise the typhoon warning signal to level 8 by 2:20 p.m. (0620 GMT), one of the highest levels in the city’s storm alert system. As a result, schools are closed, flights are suspended, and businesses have begun to shut down. So far, about 700 flights have been delayed or cancelled.
Authorities are closely monitoring the storm’s path to decide whether to issue an even higher warning by Tuesday night or early Wednesday.
Dangerous storm surges and heavy rainfall expected
Officials are warning of hurricane-force winds and torrential rain that could lead to severe storm surges in coastal and low-lying areas. Water levels are forecast to rise by two meters (six feet), with peaks of up to 4–5 meters (12–15 feet) in some locations.
Residents are being urged to prepare for conditions similar to past devastating storms such as Typhoon Hato (2017) and Typhoon Mangkhut (2018). Authorities have distributed sandbags to vulnerable neighborhoods. Supermarkets in the city are facing panic buying, with reports of milk and meat sold out and vegetable prices tripling.
In spite of the storm, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange remains open, following a recent policy change allowing trading to continue during typhoons.
Across the region, China has activated flood control measures in multiple southern provinces. In Macau, schools are closed and evacuation plans are underway. In Shenzhen, more than 800 emergency shelters have been readied for use.
Evacuations and flight cancellations across Asia
In Taiwan, over 7,600 people have been evacuated from mountainous regions due to landslide risks. Transport disruptions continue throughout East Asia, with 273 flights cancelled and several rail services halted.
As Super Typhoon Ragasa bears down on the region, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and follow all safety instructions.
