Cynthia Ezegwu
Super Typhoon Ragasa left a trail of destruction across Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan on Wednesday, bringing hurricane-force winds, widespread flooding and heavy damage as it moved towards mainland China.
In Hong Kong, the Observatory issued its highest-level typhoon warning overnight as storm surges sent waters rising more than three metres above reference levels. Multiple districts were flooded, with viral footage showing waves smashing through the glass doors of the upscale Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel and sweeping into its lobby. Floodwaters also inundated residential estates such as Heng Fa Chuen, while strong winds ripped the roof off a pedestrian bridge and swayed skyscrapers.
Authorities reported more than 760 residents sought shelter in temporary facilities. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, train services suspended, and ferry operations halted, while schools and businesses remained closed. A five-year-old boy and his mother were left in critical condition after being swept into the sea in Chai Wan, alongside the boy’s father who attempted a rescue.
In Macau, power was cut to some low-lying districts as floodwaters inundated neighbourhoods.
Taiwan suffered the deadliest toll, with at least 14 people killed and 18 injured after a decades-old lake barrier burst in Hualien County. The typhoon had earlier killed at least two people in the northern Philippines.
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China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said Ragasa is expected to make landfall between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, from midday to late Wednesday. Authorities ordered schools and businesses to shut down across at least 10 cities, affecting tens of millions of people. Rail travel across Guangdong was also suspended.
Despite the chaos, Hong Kong residents noted the city’s preparedness. “This one was forecast to be quite bad so we were expecting a bit of chaos, but everywhere seems to be functioning quite efficiently still,” said chef Benjamin Phizacklea.
Emergency crews across the region remain on high alert as Ragasa continues its destructive path.