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Hong Kong prepares for Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most intense tropical storm of the year. Schools and some businesses have closed, and roughly 700 flights have been canceled, with many more expected to be disrupted as the day progresses until early Thursday.
Ragasa, with maximum sustained winds of 137 mph (220 km/h), is moving closer to the southern coast of China’s Guangdong province, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. The city is expected to raise the typhoon signal to level 8, its third-highest alert, by around 2:20 pm, leading to shutdowns across most businesses and transportation services.
The observatory is monitoring whether an even higher warning will be necessary later today or early tomorrow. Ragasa made landfall in the northern Philippines on Monday, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to order full alert status and mobilization of all government disaster response units.
Offshore and mountainous areas in Hong Kong are forecasted to experience hurricane-force winds on Wednesday, accompanied by heavy rain that could lead to dangerous storm surges. The city’s sea levels are anticipated to rise by approximately two meters (six feet), with certain locations potentially reaching 4-5 meters (12-15 feet). Authorities have urged residents to take necessary precautions.
Residents in Hong Kong have been preparing by distributing sandbags for low-lying homes, with many individuals stocking up on essentials. Supermarkets saw long lines, with milk and meat selling out quickly and vegetable prices tripling at markets.
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange plans to stay open, having adopted a policy late last year to continue trading despite severe weather conditions. Meanwhile, authorities in several southern Chinese provinces have implemented flood control measures, warning of heavy rain starting late Tuesday.
Macau, the world’s largest gambling hub, is also bracing for impact, with schools closed and evacuation plans set in motion. Shenzhen has prepared over 800 emergency shelters.
In Taiwan, over 7,600 people have been evacuated from mountainous southern and eastern regions, though transportation disruptions have persisted into a second day with cancellations totaling 273 flights and some rail services suspended.
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