Super Typhoon Ragasa has left a trail of destruction in Taiwan, claiming 14 lives and injuring 18, while authorities in southern China’s Guangdong province evacuated over a million residents ahead of the storm’s expected landfall, officials informed on Wednesday.
Taiwan’s Emergency Operation Centre reported that approximately 100 people remain trapped across the island and are awaiting rescue. The typhoon, the 18th of the season, has already triggered severe flooding, including the overflow of a dam at a barrier lake in Hualien County on Tuesday, submerging nearby areas.
“Wind speeds of 212 km per hour were recorded in Zhuhai city. The typhoon's outer circulation continues to lash Taiwan's eastern, northern, and southern coastal areas, triggering heavy rainfall,” a spokesperson at the National Meteorological Centre said.
China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters elevated the typhoon emergency response to Level III for Guangdong and Hainan provinces. Over 1.04 million people have been relocated in Guangdong alone.
Authorities have undertaken extensive precautions, reinforcing infrastructure and preparing for flooding risks, including potential stormwater backflow.
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Multiple transportation closures are in effect. The Shenzhen airport, a key high-tech hub, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge have been closed since Monday. Bus, taxi, and subway services were suspended by Tuesday evening, and highway access was restricted. Guangzhou cancelled all flights until Wednesday evening, while Zhuhai cancelled 21 flights on Tuesday.
Local authorities have also implemented preventive measures across the region. Shops in Shenzhen have taped windows, tied down outdoor objects, and trimmed over 18,000 trees to reduce hazards, local media reprts maintained.
“Ragasa is the most powerful storm forecast to strike China this year,” state-run media reported, with the typhoon expected to make landfall along the Guangdong coastline later on Wednesday.
Officials have urged residents to remain indoors and follow all safety advisories as emergency response teams stand by to address flooding and other storm-related incidents.
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