Super Typhoon Ragasa Forces School Closures and Flight Cancellations

Hong Kong and parts of southern China faced significant disruptions as Super Typhoon Ragasa approached on the evening of September 23, 2023. With maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h, the typhoon prompted authorities to close schools and businesses across at least 10 cities in the region. The storm has already caused destruction in the northern Philippines, where it resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals and left thousands seeking refuge in evacuation centres.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued its third-highest typhoon warning, T8, indicating the potential for rapid escalation in weather conditions. The observatory stated that the weather was expected to deteriorate quickly overnight, with intensifying winds. An AFP reporter observed waves reaching nearly 5 meters crashing against the seaside promenade in Hong Kong’s Heng Fa Chuen residential district.

Impact on Residents and Infrastructure

Residents expressed concerns about the storm’s potential impact. Terence Choi, a local, shared that he had stocked up on two days’ worth of food, voicing his anxiety about possible power outages and disruptions to fresh water supply. Yang Lee-o, a 71-year-old resident of the coastal Lei Yue Mun area, noted that government workers had spent a day fortifying the area with sandbags, having experienced severe flooding during past storms. “Lei Yue Mun is the hardest hit whenever there’s a typhoon or rainstorm,” she remarked, recalling a previous super typhoon that left water levels reaching her thighs.

Eric Chan, Hong Kong’s number-two official, indicated that Ragasa poses a “serious threat,” comparable to the super typhoons that struck in 2017 and 2018, both of which resulted in extensive property damage costing hundreds of millions.

Preparations Across Southern China

As Ragasa approached, its expected landfall in the central and western coastal areas of Guangdong was a focal point for emergency management. The province’s emergency bureau reported that the storm was anticipated to make landfall within 24 hours. In Zhuhai, locals prepared for the storm, with Hong Wei, a 28-year-old shopkeeper, placing safety tape on glass windows to prevent shattering. “This typhoon is quite powerful,” he said, expressing his concerns about safety.

Although many residents in the typhoon-prone area took precautions, some expressed a sense of familiarity with such storms. A 20-year-old resident surnamed Huang stated, “I’m used to it,” but planned to secure his windows and stock up supplies nonetheless.

The city of Shenzhen ordered the evacuation of 400,000 people, advising residents to refrain from unnecessary travel, except for emergency personnel and those involved in essential services. Other cities in Guangdong, including Chaozhou and Dongguan, implemented similar measures.

In Hong Kong, classes were suspended on both Tuesday and Wednesday, while the stock exchange remained open due to new regulations allowing operations during typhoons. By 10:00 GMT, no flights were departing from Hong Kong, with Cathay Pacific canceling over 500 flights in response to the storm.

As Super Typhoon Ragasa continues its approach, communities in Hong Kong and southern China remain on high alert, preparing for the potential impact of severe weather conditions.