Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaks havoc across Taiwan, Philippines, Hong Kong, and southern China

Super Typhoon Ragasa has battered East Asia, leaving a trail of destruction in Taiwan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and southern China. The storm, with sustained winds reaching 195 km/h, has been described as the strongest globally in 2025.

In Taiwan, the typhoon caused catastrophic flooding, particularly in Hualien County, where a barrier lake burst, releasing about 60 million tonnes of water.

The flooding has resulted in 14 confirmed deaths and 124 people missing, while sweeping away vehicles, bridges, and buildings. Emergency services are conducting ongoing rescue operations to reach affected areas.

The Philippines faced severe coastal impacts, especially in northern provinces. At least 10 people have died, mainly fishermen caught in stormy seas.

Nearly 700,000 residents were affected, and around 25,000 sought shelter in government facilities. Power outages and infrastructure damage, including roads and bridges, have compounded the crisis.

In Hong Kong, Ragasa brought torrential rain and strong winds, causing flooding and infrastructure damage. Waves breached the Ocean Park hotel, streets were submerged, and over 80 people were injured.

More than 700 flights were canceled, while schools, businesses, and public transport systems were closed as a Typhoon Signal 8 alert was issued.

Southern China, particularly Guangdong province, saw nearly 1.9 million people evacuated ahead of the storm. Coastal cities such as Zhuhai and Shenzhen experienced massive waves and heavy rainfall.

Wind gusts reached 241 km/h in Chuandao, setting a record for Jiangmen City. Authorities halted construction and transportation while deploying emergency personnel.

Across all affected regions, governments are prioritizing rescue operations, shelter, and relief for displaced populations. International agencies have expressed support, while authorities continue to assess the full scale of the destruction.