Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms of the year, has left a trail of devastation across southern China and Taiwan, claiming lives, displacing millions, and causing widespread destruction. The typhoon made landfall on Wednesday in Guangdong province, China, with sustained winds of 144 km/h and gusts reaching up to 241 km/h. Authorities evacuated nearly two million people in anticipation of the storm’s arrival, which has been described as the ‘King of Storms’ by the China Meteorological Administration.
In Taiwan, the impact of Ragasa has been particularly severe. A barrier lake burst in Hualien County, triggering catastrophic flooding that killed at least 17 people and left many others missing. Premier Cho Jung-Tai has called for an investigation into the evacuation process, emphasizing the need to understand why orders were not effectively executed. The flooding, likened to a ‘tsunami from the mountains,’ released an estimated 15.4 million tonnes of water, washing away bridges, submerging vehicles, and trapping residents in their homes.
Hong Kong also felt the storm’s fury, with 90 people injured as Ragasa skirted the coastline. The Hong Kong Observatory issued its highest-level warning, grounding flights and shutting down schools and businesses. Earlier in the week, the typhoon wreaked havoc in the Philippines, leaving towns flooded, thousands displaced, and at least eight dead.
As Ragasa moves westward over land, wind speeds are expected to weaken, but torrential rain and slow-moving storms will continue to pose significant risks. Southern Chinese cities like Zhuhai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou are bracing for seawater intrusion, while red alerts for landslides have been issued in Guangdong’s mountainous regions. Rescue efforts are ongoing in both China and Taiwan, with governments mobilizing resources to assist affected communities.