Hong Kong: Hong Kong ground to a near halt on Tuesday as authorities prepared for Super Typhoon Ragasa, the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone of 2025, urging residents to stay indoors and suspend normal activities. Most passenger flights are expected to remain canceled until Thursday.
Panic buying swept through the city, leaving supermarket shelves nearly empty as residents stocked up on essentials in anticipation of at least two days of disruption. Windows in homes and businesses were taped up, an effort aimed at reducing damage from flying glass during the storm.
The Hong Kong Observatory warned that Ragasa, with sustained winds up to 220 km/h (137 mph), poses a severe threat to the coast of Guangdong province. The typhoon, which maintained super typhoon strength as it approached southern China after sweeping through the northern Philippines on Monday, is expected to make landfall along Guangdong’s coast between midday and late Wednesday.
Authorities in Guangdong have already evacuated more than 370,000 people, according to Xinhua News Agency. Hong Kong issued typhoon signal 8, its third-highest alert, at 2:20 p.m. local time, prompting closures of most businesses and public transport. Over 700 flights have been disrupted, affecting neighboring Macau and Taiwan as well.
“Everybody is bracing for super typhoon Ragasa that is approaching 🇭🇰and 🇲🇴, including us at the EU Office to 🇭🇰 and 🇲🇴. We have full trust in the professionalism and commitment of local authorities and frontline workers. ” (1/2) pic.twitter.com/UHcAg8qw53
— European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao (@EUinHKandMO) September 23, 2025
Residents have been warned of hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and significant storm surges, with water levels along the coast expected to rise about two meters (six feet), reaching four to five meters (12–15 feet) in some areas. Authorities have distributed sandbags and advised residents in low-lying regions to take precautions.
Ragasa peaked on Monday as a Category 5 storm, with winds near its eye reaching 260 km/h (162 mph). Although it has slightly weakened to a Category 4 typhoon, the storm is still expected to cause widespread damage along southern China’s densely populated coast.
More than 11 cities in Guangdong, including Shenzhen and Zhuhai, suspended work, transport, and schools in preparation for high waves and potential flooding. Shenzhen authorities have readied over 800 emergency shelters and deployed teams to clear tree branches along main roads. China’s Environmental Forecasting Centre warned that coastal waters could see waves up to seven meters (21 feet) high.
In Macau, all casinos will close by 5 p.m. local time as typhoon signal 8 is lifted, while Taiwan continues to deal with almost 60 cm (24 inches) of rainfall, 25 reported injuries, and extensive transport disruptions.
