Typhoon Ragasa Batters East Asia, Killing At Least 17
Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms in years, has wreaked havoc across East Asia, killing at least 17 people in Taiwan and the Philippines. The typhoon is now battering Hong Kong and southern China with sustained winds of 195 kph. Authorities in China's Guangdong province have relocated over a million people, while Hong Kong and Macau have shut down schools, flights, and businesses as the storm skirts the financial hub, causing widespread disruption and damage.
Unpacked:
Typhoon Ragasa is the most intense tropical cyclone recorded in 2025, reaching Category 5-equivalent strength with winds up to 270 km/h. It is being compared to Super Typhoon Mangkhut (2018), which also caused major disruption in Hong Kong and southern China.
Authorities have evacuated over a million people in Guangdong, suspended schools, government offices, and transport services in Hong Kong, Macau, and multiple Chinese cities, and cancelled hundreds of flights and train services. Supermarkets saw panic buying as residents stocked up before the storm.
Besides strong winds, Ragasa has caused extensive flooding, landslides, and the threat of dangerous storm surges, especially along coastal regions. These hazards can lead to severe property damage, displacement, and casualties.
Scientists attribute the increasing intensity of typhoons in East Asia to rising global temperatures, which warm ocean waters and provide more energy for storms. This trend puts millions in the region at greater risk from extreme weather events.