News Summary
Southern China is bracing for the arrival of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which has already caused significant destruction in the Philippines. With maximum sustained winds of about 143 mph, Ragasa is forecasted to make landfall in Guangdong province, prompting evacuations and school closures. Residents are preparing by securing homes and stockpiling essentials, while local airports brace for the cancellation of hundreds of flights. The Philippines has reported fatalities and widespread displacement due to the storm’s impact. Authorities in southern China are implementing emergency measures as they anticipate heavy rainfall and rising water levels.
Southern China Braces for Super Typhoon Ragasa
Southern Chinese cities are bracing for the severe impacts of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which has already claimed three lives in the Philippines and resulted in significant flooding and landslides. The typhoon is currently classified as a super typhoon with maximum sustained winds recorded at approximately 143 mph (230 kph).
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, Ragasa is projected to move west-northwest at about 14 mph (22 kph) and is expected to make landfall in Guangdong province between Shenzhen city and Xuwen county on Wednesday. The China National Meteorological Center has warned that Hong Kong will issue a storm warning signal No. 8, which is the third-highest level in their weather alert system.
Preparation and Evacuations
To prepare for the impending storm, residents throughout affected areas have begun securing their homes by placing sandbags and barriers at doors and taping windows. Many families are stockpiling food and essentials, resulting in empty shelves at local supermarkets.
Schools in Hong Kong and Macao have closed, along with educational institutions in Shenzhen, Foshan, and Haikou, as classes have been canceled in anticipation of the typhoon. Hong Kong’s international airport is preparing for disruption, with reports indicating that over 500 flights are set to be canceled due to the approaching storm. Additionally, Shenzhen airport has ceased operations from Tuesday night.
The Macao government has also activated its emergency response mechanism as Ragasa is expected to pass within 62 miles (100 kilometers) south of the region. In Shenzhen, officials are planning to evacuate around 400,000 residents from vulnerable areas.
Widespread Disruption
The Philippines has already experienced severe consequences from Ragasa, with three confirmed fatalities and over 17,500 individuals displaced. In this region, a 74-year-old man tragically died after becoming trapped in a vehicle during a landslide. The Philippine government responded to the crisis by closing schools and government offices across the capital region and 29 northern provinces. Furthermore, all fishing boats and ferries were prohibited from venturing out due to hazardous sea conditions.
In northern Cagayan Province, where Ragasa made landfall, extensive damage has occurred, including ruined homes and uprooted trees. Authorities are currently conducting search and rescue operations for six fishermen reported missing after their boat capsized.
Projected Impact and Conditions
As Ragasa slightly weakens, it remains a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds around 145 mph (230 kph). Officials in Guangdong province are bracing for heavy rainfall, with predictions of accumulations reaching as much as 280 mm (11 inches).
Emergency measures are being rolled out, including the suspension of rail services throughout Guangdong starting midday Tuesday. The observatory has warned that water levels may rise significantly, with increases of around 2 meters (6.5 feet) expected, and could reach up to 4 to 5 meters (13.1 to 16.4 feet) in worst-case scenarios.
As the region prepares, video footage originating from Taiwan has shown rough seas and strong winds caused by Ragasa’s outer bands. State weather services in Taiwan have predicted extremely torrential rainfall in the eastern regions as preparations are implemented ahead of the storm.
So far, the macroscopic view of Ragasa has been captured from space by Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui aboard the International Space Station. The situation remains volatile as communities across southern China take the necessary precautions to shield against the approaching tempest.
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Additional Resources
- CNN: Southern China Prepares for Super Typhoon Ragasa
- Wikipedia: Typhoon
- China Daily: Typhoon Ragasa Updates
- Google Search: Super Typhoon Ragasa
- Al Jazeera: Super Typhoon Heads to Taiwan and Hong Kong
- Google Scholar: Typhoon Ragasa
- ABC News: China Cancels Schools and Flights for Typhoon
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Typhoon
- South China Morning Post: China Braces for Super Typhoon Ragasa
- Google News: Typhoon Ragasa
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