Urgent Evacuations Underway as Typhoon Ragasa Approaches the Philippines
Super Typhoon Ragasa Hits Northern Philippines
Life in parts of the Philippines faced significant disruption on Monday as authorities suspended work and urged residents to seek shelter in evacuation centers. This came ahead of Super Typhoon Ragasa’s impending landfall in northern Luzon.
As of 8 a.m. local time (0000 GMT), wind speeds were recorded at up to 215 kph (134 mph) with gusts reaching 265 kph.
Typhoon Warning for Babuyan Islands
Authorities issued warnings of heavy flooding, landslides, and widespread power outages. Evacuations were underway in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas, while dozens of domestic flights and ferry services were canceled.
Schools and government offices were closed across the Manila region along with 29 other Philippine provinces.
The highest typhoon warning was issued for the remote Babuyan Islands, where Ragasa is expected to make landfall around midday. Officials urged residents to evacuate to higher ground to ensure their safety.
Provincial disaster chief Rueli Rapsing reported to the AFP news agency: “We are now experiencing strong winds here in northern Cagayan.” He expressed that they were prepared for “the worst.”
Hong Kong to Halt All Passenger Flights
Ragasa, categorized as one of the strongest storms in recent memory, is anticipated to traverse the Luzon Strait towards southern China.
Taiwan has enacted land and sea warnings, canceled flights to eastern cities, and initiated small-scale evacuations in mountainous areas, as shared by local fire department officer James Wu.
Additionally, Hong Kong is preparing for Ragasa, planning to suspend all passenger flights for 36 hours starting Tuesday. According to Bloomberg News, flights are expected to be halted from 6 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Thursday as the storm progresses.
Experts warn that storms are intensifying due to the rising effects of human-driven climate change.
Conclusion
As Super Typhoon Ragasa bears down on the northern Philippines, authorities are taking significant measures to protect residents from potential disaster, with evacuations and flight cancelations already in effect. The situation remains critical as the storm approaches.
Published: 2025-09-22 06:28:00 | Source: www.dw.com
