A massive typhoon has wreaked havoc across Taiwan, leading to catastrophic flooding that has resulted in the loss of at least 14 lives, with 124 individuals reported missing. As Typhoon Ragasa makes its way toward one of the world’s most densely populated coastal regions, it brings with it hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall, affecting major Chinese cities such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Typhoon Ragasa, which was recently identified as the strongest storm globally this year, has already passed through remote islands in the Philippines and the mountainous areas of Taiwan. The storm has caused significant destruction, including landslides and towering waves, and has led to the evacuation of more than a million residents in southern China. In Taiwan's eastern Hualien County, a lake overflowed on Tuesday, resulting in devastating floods in the nearby township. This disaster claimed the lives of at least a dozen individuals and left rescuers scrambling to locate over a hundred missing persons as of Wednesday morning local time.
As Typhoon Ragasa approached Hong Kong early Wednesday, it unleashed powerful winds that toppled trees and dismantled scaffolding from buildings, with maximum gusts recorded at 168 kilometers per hour (104.39 mph). A CNN reporter on the ground witnessed intense sea swells crashing against the sidewalks near Hong Kong's iconic harbor. Social media has been inundated with videos purportedly showing storm surges that shattered the glass doors of a waterfront hotel, sending massive waves surging into the lobby and sweeping people off their feet. CNN is currently unable to independently verify the authenticity of these videos and has reached out to the hotel for clarification.
In response to the fierce winds and potential flooding, both Hong Kong and Macau—home to over 8 million residents—have issued their highest hurricane warning signals. Schools, businesses, and public transit services have largely shut down in anticipation of the storm. The Hong Kong Observatory has warned that storm surges could reach heights of up to four meters in certain areas on Wednesday.
Additionally, cities along China's southern coast are preparing for the impending impact of Typhoon Ragasa. By Tuesday evening, Guangdong province had evacuated over a million people in anticipation of the storm's arrival. More than 10,000 vessels have been relocated to safer waters to avoid disaster. According to state-run outlet Xinhua, more than 38,000 firefighters are on standby to assist with emergency responses.
This region, while highly populated and facing significant risk from the typhoon, has shown resilience due to well-established preparedness measures. Cities in southern China, including Hong Kong, frequently encounter storms and have invested in advanced infrastructure designed to mitigate the effects of severe weather. This includes a comprehensive $3.8 billion drainage network that has historically protected Hong Kong from floods that once caused widespread loss of life and property damage.
2023 has proven to be an exceptionally stormy year for the region. Hong Kong typically experiences around six typhoons annually, but Typhoon Ragasa marks the ninth such storm this year, according to reports from the City University of Hong Kong. Initially, when the storm, also known as Typhoon Nando, made landfall in the northern Philippines, it was classified as a Category 5 hurricane—so immense it was visible from space, with images capturing the storm's eye amid a massive cloud formation. Although Typhoon Ragasa has weakened slightly, another storm named Opong is intensifying in the Philippines in its aftermath. So far, four fatalities have been reported in the Philippines, pending verification from local authorities, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.
As Typhoon Ragasa continues its journey, the impact on both Taiwan and southern China serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness in the face of such formidable weather events.
