Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate as Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the strongest storms of the year, made landfall in the northern Philippines on Monday afternoon.
The typhoon, locally known as Nando, struck Panuitan Island in Cagayan province at around 15:00 local time (08:00 GMT). The country’s weather bureau reported Ragasa packing sustained winds of up to 230km/h (143mph), equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane.
Widespread Disruptions
Authorities ordered the shutdown of schools and government offices across large parts of the country, including the capital Manila. Flights and ferry services were suspended as residents braced for destructive winds, flooding, and landslides.
In the remote Babuyan and Batanes islands, home to around 20,000 people, emergency shelters quickly filled. Many families in these areas live in poverty, raising concerns over their ability to withstand the storm’s impact.
The Philippine weather agency warned of life-threatening storm surges exceeding 3 meters (10 feet) along coastal areas, alongside heavy rainfall that could trigger flash floods and landslides.
Regional Impact
While Ragasa is not expected to make a direct hit on Taiwan, authorities there evacuated hundreds of residents from vulnerable communities in Hualien County. Forest areas, nature trails, and ferry services along Taiwan’s eastern coast were suspended as precautionary measures.
The storm is forecast to barrel westward toward southern China. Officials in Guangdong province have already urged residents to prepare for a “catastrophic” disaster. In Shenzhen, plans are underway to evacuate 400,000 people, while Hong Kong airlines have canceled or suspended hundreds of flights in anticipation.
A Country Already Reeling
Ragasa comes at a difficult time for the Philippines, which is still recovering from weeks of intense monsoon flooding. Over the weekend, tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets in protest, blaming government corruption and poor flood-control infrastructure for worsening disasters.
As Ragasa continues its path toward China, authorities in the Philippines remain on high alert, urging communities to prioritize safety and heed evacuation orders.
