Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm of 2025, made landfall over Panuitan Island in the Babuyan Islands of the Philippines at 3:00 PM local time on Monday. With wind gusts reaching 285 km/h (177 mph), Ragasa has prompted the evacuation of thousands, particularly in the northern Cagayan province. According to the Philippine weather bureau, despite a slight weakening, the storm still poses a “high risk of life-threatening storm surge,” with wave heights potentially exceeding 3 meters (10 feet).

Authorities have warned of severe flooding, landslides, and damage to homes and infrastructure, leading to the closure of schools and government offices nationwide, including in Manila. In Calayan, an information officer reported minor damage to a school roof, highlighting the typhoon’s intensity.

Ragasa is expected to move west toward southern China, where officials in Guangdong province urged residents to prepare for a “large-scale disaster.” Shenzhen authorities plan to evacuate 400,000 people, while heavy rains and strong winds are predicted to impact the region starting Tuesday.

In Taiwan, evacuation efforts have begun, and several areas have been closed to mitigate risks. The storm comes amid ongoing challenges for the Philippines, which is still recovering from recent severe flooding exacerbated by heavy monsoon rains.



Read full article at www.bbc.com