Thousands of people have evacuated their homes in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Ragasa bears down on the country’s north, while Hong Kong authorities are preparing to shut their international airport for 36 hours starting on 23 Sep 2025, as the typhoon approaches the city.
Philippines: Mass Evacuations and Widespread Disruptions
More than 10,000 residents in the northern and central areas of Luzon have moved to schools and community centres serving as temporary shelters, as officials warn of potentially catastrophic floods, landslides, and power interruptions.
On 22 Sep 2025, wind speeds were reported at 215 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 265 kilometres per hour, according to the national weather agency.
Ragasa is expected to make landfall around 3pm over the Babuyan Islands, located about 740 kilometres south of Taiwan, and home to approximately 20,000 people.
As of Monday morning, government offices and schools in Manila and across 29 provinces have been closed.
Ferry and flight services are cancelled throughout affected regions, leaving many travel plans in disarray. Hospitals in Cagayan province have been placed on alert, and local officials stress that residents in coastal and low-lying areas should move to higher ground.
There are warnings about life-threatening storm surges reaching heights above three metres, particularly for the Batanes and Babuyan Islands.
Impact Across the Region: Taiwan and Southern China
Typhoon Ragasa’s wide circulation has already brought heavy rains and strong winds to eastern Taiwan, prompting the closure of nature trails and the suspension of ferry routes.
Officials in China’s Guangdong province have urged local populations to prepare for major disruptions as the typhoon is forecast to impact coastal areas by 24 Sep 2025.
In China’s Shenzhen city, officials are preparing to evacuate 400,000 people living in flood-prone zones in anticipation of the typhoon’s arrival, reported the BBC.
Mainland Chinese authorities expect rain and strong winds beginning 24 Sep 2025, nearly two days ahead of the typhoon’s current path over the Philippines and towards the South China Sea.
Hong Kong: Airport to Shut, Flights Cancelled
Hong Kong International Airport plans to halt all passenger flights for 36 hours from 8pm on 23 Sep 2025 until 8am on 25 Sep 2025, as authorities expect hurricane-force winds of up to 220 kilometres per hour and intense rainfall.
This will be the longest airport closure in Hong Kong’s recent history.
About 700 flights will be cancelled starting Tuesday evening, and all schools in Hong Kong will close for two days.
The Hong Kong Observatory is monitoring Ragasa closely and will raise its typhoon warning signals as the system advances. Disruptions are set to last through most of Wednesday, with only a limited number of flights allowed if conditions permit.
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