Image Credentials: Image Title: Super Typhoon Ragasa Hits the Philippines as Thousands Evacuate Source: (Sora.ChatGpt) Date: September 2025. Attribution: Created using AI-generated imagery (Sora.ChatGpt), this does not depict a real-world scene.
By Emma Cole | Staff Writer with Agencies
A powerful super typhoon, Ragasa, has struck the Philippines, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people in its path. Although the storm has “slightly” weakened, according to the country’s weather bureau, it still presents a severe threat to life and property across the region.
Typhoon Hits the Babuyan Islands
Super Typhoon Ragasa made landfall over Panuitan Island, one of the Babuyan Islands in the northern Cagayan province of the Philippines, at around 15:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Monday. With winds reaching up to 285 km/h (177 mph), Ragasa is expected to continue its westward path toward southern China.
Despite a slight reduction in its intensity, the storm still carries a high risk of life-threatening storm surges. The Philippine weather bureau warned that the storm surge could reach peak heights of more than 3 meters (10 feet), potentially causing significant damage to coastal areas.
Widespread Evacuations
In response to the storm, thousands of residents have been evacuated, especially from vulnerable areas. Schools and government offices across the country, including in the capital Manila, have been shut down as a precautionary measure.
The remote Batanes and Babuyan Islands, where Ragasa made landfall, are home to around 20,000 people, many of whom live in poverty. Local officials on the island of Calayan reported damage to buildings, including a school roof that was ripped off and landed on an evacuation center, causing a minor injury.
Herbert Singun, an information officer in Calayan, told Agence France Presse (AFP), “Can you see those coconut trees swaying in the distance? There were eight of them before. Now only four are still standing. That goes to show how strong this typhoon is.”
Impact on Taiwan and China
While Ragasa is not expected to make direct landfall in Taiwan, the island is still bracing for heavy rains and strong winds, particularly along its east coast. As a result, forest areas and nature trails across southern and eastern Taiwan have been closed, and several ferry services have been suspended. Nearly 300 people in the Taiwanese county of Hualien have already been evacuated as a precaution.
In China, authorities in Guangdong province have urged residents to prepare for a “catastrophic” disaster, with heavy rains and strong winds expected to hit as early as Tuesday, two days before the storm is forecast to make landfall. In Shenzhen, local officials have announced plans to evacuate 400,000 people ahead of the storm. Supermarkets in the city have reported unusual levels of activity, with one employee telling AFP that bread had already sold out by midday on Monday.
Widespread Warnings in Hong Kong
As the storm progresses, authorities in Hong Kong have warned that the weather will deteriorate rapidly on Tuesday. The city’s education bureau is currently deliberating on school arrangements, while Cathay Pacific has announced the cancellation of 500 flights departing Hong Kong starting at 18:00 local time. Hong Kong Airlines has also suspended all departures from the city.
Authorities in Hong Kong have issued warnings of potential flooding, landslides, and damage to homes and infrastructure as the typhoon draws closer.
The Typhoon Amid Ongoing Flooding Crisis
Super Typhoon Ragasa, locally known as Nando, comes at a time when the Philippines is already reeling from weeks of severe flooding caused by an unusually intense monsoon. The country is grappling with widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, and the ongoing crisis has sparked protests against corruption in the government, which critics blame for the lack of flood control infrastructure.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday, demanding accountability from the government for its failure to adequately prepare for the recurring flood disasters.
Conclusion
As Super Typhoon Ragasa continues to impact the Philippines and other regions in Southeast Asia, authorities are urging citizens to stay alert and heed evacuation orders. With the storm’s destructive power and potential for widespread damage, the international community must also prepare to offer assistance in the aftermath of this catastrophic event.