Typhoon Ragasa Nears Hong Kong, Forcing School Closures and Flight Delays

Typhoon Ragasa is approaching Hong Kong, causing widespread disruptions as authorities announce school closures and airlines cancel numerous flights. The severe weather system has prompted warnings of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and possible flooding, with officials urging residents to stay indoors and take necessary precautions. Transportation networks and daily routines have been significantly affected as the city braces for the storm’s full impact, highlighting the urgency of safety measures and preparedness in the face of natural disasters.

Ragasa had already caused major destruction in the northern Philippines, toppling trees, ripping roofs from houses, and leaving at least two people dead, while thousands sought refuge in evacuation centres and schools.

By early Wednesday, Hong Kong and several cities in southern China were under high alert as Super Typhoon Ragasa moved closer, bringing fierce winds and torrential rain. Chinese authorities responded by suspending classes and shutting down businesses across at least 10 urban centres.

According to Hong Kong’s weather bureau, the storm was packing maximum sustained winds of around 195 kilometres (121 miles) per hour as it advanced westward across the South China Sea. At 2:40 a.m. local time (1840 GMT Tuesday), the Hong Kong Observatory raised its highest signal, T10, cautioning that the warning would remain active for hours while Ragasa passed near the financial hub.

Forecasters also cautioned about dangerous storm surges and waves, predicting that water could rise four to five metres above usual levels in some coastal areas. An AFP correspondent observed waves almost five metres high slamming against the seaside promenade in Hong Kong’s Heng Fa Chuen neighbourhood as night fell.

Local resident Terence Choi shared that he had stored up food for two days, admitting he was anxious about losing electricity and water supplies in his housing estate. Yang Lee-o, a 71-year-old who has lived in Lei Yue Mun for four decades, explained that government workers had already placed sandbags around the area. She noted that her community typically suffers the worst during typhoons, recalling how water reached her thighs during an earlier storm.

Hong Kong’s deputy leader, Eric Chan, had earlier warned that Ragasa could inflict damage on par with the devastating super typhoons of 2017 and 2018, which caused losses worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Experts stress that climate change, driven by human activity, is intensifying the strength of storms worldwide.

Named after a Filipino term meaning “rapid motion,” Ragasa was expected to strike Guangdong’s central and western coasts within 24 hours, according to the province’s emergency management bureau. In Zhuhai, a southern Chinese city, residents were preparing for the impact on Tuesday afternoon, especially near the main train station where businesses were reinforcing their storefronts.

Among them, a 28-year-old shopkeeper, Hong Wei, explained while taping glass windows that the aim was to prevent shattered glass from scattering dangerously. He admitted being worried but hoped the precautions would limit risks. Nearby, tea shop workers brought in outdoor furniture, while several businesses closed early as the storm drew near.

Still, some locals expressed less concern. A 20-year-old resident surnamed Huang said he was accustomed to typhoons, though he would still stock up on essentials and secure his windows with tape. In Shenzhen, officials ordered the evacuation of about 400,000 people, cautioning residents to stay indoors unless involved in rescue efforts or vital services.

Other Guangdong cities such as Chaozhou, Dongguan, Foshan, and Zhuhai also announced emergency measures ahead of Ragasa’s arrival. In Hong Kong, authorities suspended classes on Tuesday and Wednesday, though new rules allowed the stock market to remain open during typhoons. Air travel, however, was heavily disrupted. By 1000 GMT, all flights out of Hong Kong were grounded, with Cathay Pacific confirming more than 500 cancellations.

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Source: NDTV‍