Southern China closes schools and cancels flights as Super Typhoon Ragasa nears

Southern China on Edge: Super Typhoon Ragasa Sparks Mass Closures and Evacuations

As Super Typhoon Ragasa barrels toward the southern coast of China, the region braces for what is being described as one of the most powerful storms in recent years.

With maximum sustained winds reaching up to 220 kilometers per hour (137 mph), Ragasa has already left a trail of destruction in its wake, claiming lives and displacing thousands in the Philippines. Now, its looming presence over the South China Sea has prompted sweeping emergency measures across southern Chinese cities.

In anticipation of the typhoon’s landfall, forecasted to strike between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang in Guangdong province, authorities have closed schools, suspended businesses, and canceled hundreds of flights.

Hong Kong and Macao, two of the region’s major urban centers, have shuttered educational institutions and opened temporary shelters to accommodate those seeking refuge. The Hong Kong Observatory has issued storm warning signal No. 8, signaling the severity of the approaching cyclone and urging residents to remain vigilant. This level of alert, the third-highest in the city’s system, is reserved for storms with sustained winds exceeding 185 kph (115 mph), underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The economic implications are already being felt. The government has warned that water levels could rise by as much as five meters in some coastal areas, potentially matching the devastation wrought by Typhoon Hato in 2017 and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, disasters that cost Hong Kong billions in damages. Residents in flood-prone zones have scrambled to fortify their homes with sandbags and taped windows, while market shelves have been emptied in a rush to stockpile essentials.

In Guangdong province alone, over 370,000 people have been relocated, a testament to the scale of the precautionary efforts. Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Foshan, and Haikou have all enacted class cancellations and begun phased shutdowns of production and transportation. Meanwhile, Shenzhen airport has suspended all flights, and Macao has ordered the closure of bridges and begun evacuating tourists.

The typhoon’s impact has already been felt in Taiwan, where heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods, sweeping away bridges and turning roads into rivers. At least six people were injured and more than 7,000 evacuated. In the Philippines, the storm left three dead, five missing, and displaced over 17,500 individuals.

As Ragasa continues its west-northwest trajectory, the region watches with bated breath. The storm’s ferocity is a stark reminder of nature’s power and the urgent need for preparedness in the face of escalating climate threats. Southern China’s swift mobilization may yet mitigate the worst of Ragasa’s wrath, but the coming hours will be a true test of resilience and response.