Super Typhoon Ragasa Hits the Philippines, 10,000 Evacuated as China Prepares Mass Evacuation
MANILA, Philippines – Over 10,000 people have been evacuated across the Philippines as Super Typhoon Ragasa made landfall on Calayan Island, part of the Babuyan group in northern Luzon, with China preparing to evacuate hundreds of thousands in coastal regions.
The Philippine weather service reported the storm’s maximum sustained winds at 215 km/h, with gusts up to 295 km/h as it battered the northern coast. Residents described the intense wind as a “machine hitting the windows.”
Emergency Preparations Across the Philippines
Authorities in Cagayan province, a northern hotspot for typhoon impact, warned of the worst while schools and government offices closed across Manila and 29 other provinces. Disaster teams mobilized to assist vulnerable communities and ensure safe evacuations.
Tirso Tugagao, a resident of Aparri, said, “I woke up because of the strong wind. It was hitting the windows like a machine switched on.”
China Moves to Protect Coastal Residents
Meanwhile, the Chinese city of Shenzhen plans to evacuate 400,000 people from low-lying and coastal areas. Authorities in Guangdong province have suspended schools, halted public transport, and prepared emergency shelters. Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific announced over 500 flight cancellations as Ragasa approaches the financial hub, with operations expected to resume Thursday.
Regional Impact and Warnings
In Taiwan, meteorologists warned of extremely heavy rainfall in the east, while local authorities continue evacuations in mountainous areas. Officials noted that the storm’s wide radius of 320 km is already affecting nearby regions, raising fears of severe flooding and landslides similar to Typhoon Koinu two years ago.
Philippine weather expert John Grender Almario cautioned that northern Luzon could face severe flooding and landslides, compounding challenges from previous poor flood-control projects that have sparked protests.
Climate Change and Rising Storm Intensity
Scientists note that typhoons like Ragasa are intensifying due to climate change, with the Philippines facing an average of 20 storms per year, putting millions of people in disaster-prone areas at constant risk.
As Ragasa barrels across the Philippines toward southern China, governments and emergency teams are working around the clock to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure.
