Super Typhoon Ragasa continues its relentless path of destruction across East Asia, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Satellite images reveal the super typhoon barreling toward southern China after causing widespread damage in Taiwan and the Philippines. Authorities are issuing urgent warnings about severe storm surges, extensive flight cancellations, and an imminent landfall that could affect millions of residents.

Destruction Across East Asia

Super Typhoon Ragasa has unleashed unprecedented fury, sweeping away people, vehicles, roads, and even bridges in its path across Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and southern China. Recognized as one of the strongest storms in recent years, Ragasa has claimed 14 lives in Taiwan and 4 in the Philippines. In southern China, the storm has brought daily life to a standstill.

A terrifying video from Hong Kong captured a towering cloud canopy rolling across the sky, demonstrating the immense scale and power of Ragasa. While the storm is gradually moving away from Hong Kong, hurricane-force winds continue to batter the city. Authorities in Guangdong, China, have closed schools, suspended businesses, and halted rail travel in anticipation of the storm’s landfall. Tens of millions of people are impacted, with temporary shelters accommodating over 760 residents. Numerous flights and train services across the region have also been disrupted.

Where is Typhoon Ragasa Now? Satellite Images and Forecast Maps

According to satellite and tropical-cyclone trackers, Ragasa is currently moving west-northwest across the northern South China Sea after striking northern Luzon in the Philippines and eastern Taiwan. Joint forecasts from regional meteorological agencies and independent trackers describe Ragasa as a compact but highly intense cyclone, featuring a well-defined eye and extremely strong sustained winds. The projected path leads toward the Guangdong coast and the Pearl River Delta.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and regional meteorological agencies have released cone-of-uncertainty maps indicating the storm center approaching southern China, warning residents to brace for severe conditions.

Super Typhoon Ragasa: Flight Disruptions

The storm has caused massive disruption to air travel across the region. Over 700 flights have been cancelled, with major airlines taking precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety. Airlines affected include Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Hong Kong Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Qantas, Air India, Japanese Airlines, Gulf Air, Bangkok Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and KLM.

Affected Airlines and Routes

• Cathay Pacific has cancelled more than 500 flights to and from Hong Kong International Airport starting at 6:00 PM on 23 September. Operations are expected to gradually resume during daytime hours by Thursday.

• HK Express, the budget arm of Cathay Pacific, has axed approximately 100 flights over the same period.

• Emirates has suspended all flights between Dubai and Hong Kong, as well as Dubai and Shenzhen, from 23 to 25 September.

• Other international carriers are also experiencing cancellations or delays affecting Hong Kong and nearby cities.

Duration of Flight Disruptions

Hong Kong International Airport is expected to shut down passenger flight operations from 6:00 PM on 23 September until at least 6:00 AM on 25 September, totaling a 36-hour closure. Limited cargo flights may operate, contingent on evolving weather conditions.

Great example of #ShelfCloud off #Lamma Island #HongKong as #SuperTyphoonRagasa Approached last evening.

But was the Risk involved in getting this video worth ? #StaySafeHongKong. pic.twitter.com/f1PTpIbgkz— #DRFOG (@therealDRFOG) September 23, 2025

Expected Landfall: Timing and Locations

Meteorological authorities forecast Ragasa to make landfall on China’s southern coast between midday and late Wednesday. Guangdong province, particularly areas between Yangjiang and Zhanjiang, including the western Pearl River Delta, is expected to be the most impacted. Reuters reports that the storm could maintain extremely high wind speeds up to the point of landfall. Forecasts suggest that the storm will pass roughly 100 km from Hong Kong.

Real-Time Tracking

For live updates and authoritative maps, consult:

• Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)

• China Meteorological Administration

• Hong Kong Observatory

• Taiwan Central Weather Bureau (CWB)

• PAGASA (Philippines)

• Independent live-map platforms such as Zoom.Earth and The Watchers

  🚨 Super Typhoon Ragasa’s Fury Hits Hong Kong Hotels:
  
  Waves breach entrance at The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel, flooding lobby in Aberdeen—strong surge shatters glass doors, sweeps a man through the water.
  
  Follow & tap 🔔 for updates#TyphoonRagasa #HongKong pic.twitter.com/Uv92xSi2fi— DisasterAlert (@DisasterAlert2) September 24, 2025

Evacuations: Millions Moved to Safety

Authorities have conducted large-scale evacuations ahead of Ragasa’s arrival, though figures vary between official and media sources:

• Guangdong, China: State media report hundreds of thousands evacuated, with provincial notices citing 371,000 in some cities. Other sources estimate over 770,000 people evacuated, with some reports suggesting as many as 1.9 million relocated across the province.

• Philippines: Tens of thousands of residents were displaced and placed in emergency shelters as Ragasa swept across northern islands. Relief agencies, including the AHA Centre, issued updates on emergency sheltering and damage assessments.

• Taiwan: Targeted evacuations took place in flood-prone Hualien County. However, local evacuation systems were overwhelmed in some areas, exacerbating humanitarian challenges.

Casualties and Damage

The human toll from Super Typhoon Ragasa continues to rise:

• Taiwan: 14 fatalities reported in Hualien County after torrential rains caused a barrier lake to burst, sending a deluge into settlements. Dozens remain missing, with rescue teams deployed amid widespread destruction.

• Philippines: Early reports indicate 3–4 deaths, with thousands affected, including tens of thousands seeking shelter in evacuation centers.

• Hong Kong / Southern China: Multiple injuries reported, along with significant infrastructure damage. Authorities are still compiling official death counts.

  🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING: Major disaster unfolding in Guangfu Township, Hualien County in Taiwan.
  
  The Mataian Creek landslide lake overflowed this afternoon, washing away the Mataian Bridge and flooding almost all of Guangfu Township.
  
  Another peak is expected soon. Everyone must… pic.twitter.com/WXoDkCSSY0— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) September 23, 2025

Storm Surge, Flooding, and Landslide Risks

Meteorologists have identified three major hazards associated with Ragasa:

• Storm Surge: Coastal areas of Guangdong, the Pearl River estuary, Macau, and low-lying Hong Kong waterfronts face severe surge risk. Some forecasts compare potential sea levels to Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. Coastal evacuations have been ordered.

• Torrential Rainfall and Flash Flooding: Taiwan’s eastern counties, particularly Hualien, have already experienced catastrophic floods. Similar risks now threaten southern China and the Philippines, especially steep coastal and riverine zones.

• Landslides: Saturated slopes in mountainous regions may fail, posing extreme danger to nearby communities, as seen in Taiwan.

  Heavy rain from Super Typhoon Ragasa burst a lake on the east coast of Taiwan, with the deluge breaking a bridge and causing flooding in surrounding villages pic.twitter.com/uOpJFPETi8— Reuters (@Reuters) September 23, 2025

Dramatic Visuals of Typhoon Ragasa

• Giant Cloud Canopy in Hong Kong: A video posted online shows a massive shelf cloud forming over Lamma Island, emphasizing the scale and intensity of Ragasa as it approached the city.

• Raging Waters in Hong Kong: Another video captured powerful waves smashing through a hotel entrance, rapidly flooding the lobby and sweeping away individuals. Staff later attempted to clean up while the storm damaged the building’s exterior.

• Township Flooded in Taiwan: Torrents of muddy water destroyed a bridge in Guangfu township, turning streets into raging rivers. Residents sought safety on upper floors as rescuers went door-to-door. Local authorities confirmed 14 deaths, with 124 people still missing.

• Bridge and Infrastructure Damage in Taiwan: High winds tore sections of a bridge roof, toppled hundreds of trees, and threw boats onto the shore, damaging waterfront railings. Flooding submerged cycling paths and playgrounds, while wind scattered outdoor furniture at local restaurants. Over 30 people were treated for injuries in hospitals.

Super Typhoon Ragasa stands as a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature, highlighting the need for vigilance, timely evacuations, and disaster preparedness. Authorities across East Asia continue monitoring the storm closely, issuing updates to safeguard residents and minimize casualties.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Vygr Media.