Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm of 2025, has left two dead and many more missing in eastern Taiwan after a barrier lake burst, flooding the township of Guangfu in Hualien county. Rescue operations are underway as water surged into the area, trapping approximately 263 people who have since been evacuated to higher ground. The typhoon, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, unleashed wind gusts of up to 285 km/h and nearly 60 cm of rain, leading to significant damage including washed-away bridges and submerged vehicles.

As Ragasa approaches China’s southern coast, approximately 370,000 residents in Guangdong province have been evacuated, with schools and businesses closing ahead of its expected landfall. In Hong Kong, the typhoon warning was raised to level eight, prompting panic buying and flight cancellations at Hong Kong International Airport. Experts have warned of storm surges of up to five meters, with residents in low-lying areas particularly concerned.

The typhoon, which has caused disruption in the Philippines as well, has been labeled as the “King of Storms” by China’s meteorological agency. While the precise impact of climate change on Ragasa is unclear, scientists predict tropical storms will intensify due to global warming, resulting in higher wind speeds and increased coastal flooding risks.



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