Super Typhoon Ragasa, the 18th typhoon of the year, is barreling toward the Chinese mainland’s Guangdong Province with forecasts predicting landfall this Wednesday. Meteorologists warn it could become the strongest storm to strike the Chinese mainland in 2023, bringing life-threatening winds and torrential rains.
Already, the island of Taiwan has felt Ragasa’s impact: Taiwan authorities report 14 fatalities, 34 injuries and 124 people missing as intense downpours and landslides swept across mountain communities.
On the Chinese mainland, coastal areas of Guangdong are preparing for peak rainfall on Wednesday before the storm’s heavy core shifts westward into the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Thursday. Emergency teams are reinforcing dams and clearing drainage channels to reduce flood risk.
Early Wednesday, the Hong Kong Observatory issued its highest-level tropical cyclone warning—No. 10 Hurricane Signal—followed by a yellow rainstorm alert. In response, the Chinese mainland’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters upgraded its emergency response to Level III for both Guangdong and Hainan provinces.
By Tuesday evening, more than 1.04 million residents across Guangdong had been evacuated to safer shelters. Local authorities are on standby to manage stormwater backflow and reinforce critical infrastructure.
Ragasa’s violent outer bands have also battered the Philippines, where flooding and landslides have claimed at least five lives and left four people missing, according to regional reports.
As Ragasa advances, communities from Manila to Guangdong are bracing for upheaval. Officials urge everyone in the storm’s path to follow evacuation orders, keep emergency kits ready and stay tuned for real-time updates.
For a globally connected audience—whether you’re tracking climate trends, planning cross-border relief or simply scheduling your next trip—Ragasa is a stark reminder of the power of extreme weather and the importance of preparedness.
Reference(s):
China braces for Ragasa, possibly the strongest storm of the year
cgtn.com
