Super Typhoon Ragasa has made landfall in southern China’s Guangdong province after leaving a trail of destruction and at least 17 fatalities in Taiwan. The powerful storm, which has been described as the strongest tropical cyclone of 2025, also impacted the Philippines and Hong Kong.
Impact on Taiwan
The most significant casualties in Taiwan were reported in the eastern county of Hualien. Seventeen people were killed after a decades-old barrier lake on the Matai’an Creek burst its banks due to torrential rains brought by the typhoon. The resulting deluge sent a wall of water into the nearby Guangfu township, sweeping away vehicles and destroying a bridge. The floodwaters were so severe that in some areas, they reached as high as the second floor of homes. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with troops and emergency personnel working to locate a number of residents who were initially unaccounted for. Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai has called for an inquiry into the effectiveness of evacuation orders.
Impact on China and Hong Kong
As the typhoon approached mainland China, authorities took extensive precautionary measures. Nearly 1.9 million people were relocated from coastal areas in Guangdong province. Flights were canceled, and schools and businesses were shut down in more than a dozen cities.
Typhoon Ragasa made landfall in the city of Yangjiang, Guangdong, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 144 kph. Hong Kong, which was skirted by the storm, experienced hurricane-force winds and storm surges that whipped waves taller than streetlights. Parts of a pedestrian bridge’s roof were blown away, and hundreds of trees were knocked down. Although Hong Kong was spared a direct hit, the storm brought the city to a standstill, with more than 60 people treated for injuries at hospitals.
Overall Context
Before reaching Taiwan and China, Super Typhoon Ragasa also affected the Philippines, causing at least 10 deaths and affecting nearly 700,000 people. The storm’s path has been characterized by its immense power, with maximum sustained winds reaching up to 150 mph at its peak. Authorities across the affected regions continue to focus on rescue and recovery operations while assessing the full extent of the damage.
