Manila: The Philippines is on high alert as Super Typhoon Ragasa, locally named Nando, barrels toward the northern island of Luzon. In anticipation of the storm’s destructive force, government authorities have suspended work and classes across 29 provinces, while mass evacuations are underway in some of the most vulnerable areas. Ragasa, packing sustained winds of 215 km/h (134 mph) and gusts up to 265 km/h (165 mph), is expected to make landfall over the Babuyan Islands in Cagayan province later on Monday.
Officials have reported that more than 8,200 residents in Cagayan have been moved to evacuation centers, while 1,220 individuals in nearby Apayao province have sought shelter. Power outages have already been reported on Calayan Island and in parts of Apayao, and domestic flights and ferry operations have been suspended to minimize risk to travelers. Authorities are issuing urgent warnings about life-threatening storm surges exceeding 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) along the coasts of Cagayan, Batanes, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur, emphasizing the need for residents to heed evacuation directives.
The typhoon’s influence extends beyond the Philippines. In Taiwan, parts of Taitung and Pingtung counties, along with the outlying Orchid and Green islands, have been closed in preparation for the storm. Hong Kong and Macau are also implementing precautionary measures, with Hong Kong International Airport planning a 36-hour closure starting Tuesday afternoon and city authorities distributing sandbags in flood-prone districts. Mainland China’s Guangdong province has ordered widespread shutdowns and urged residents to stockpile emergency supplies and reinforce buildings as the storm approaches.
The arrival of Typhoon Ragasa coincides with heightened scrutiny of the Philippines’ flood control infrastructure. Authorities are investigating allegations of corruption and kickbacks that have resulted in poorly constructed or incomplete flood control systems, raising concerns about the country’s readiness to withstand such natural disasters.
Meteorologists predict that Ragasa will linger in the South China Sea at least until Wednesday, potentially impacting southeastern China after passing south of Taiwan and Hong Kong. Officials in the Philippines and neighboring regions continue to urge residents to remain alert, follow evacuation orders, and prepare for possible flooding, high winds, and storm surges.
With Super Typhoon Ragasa gaining strength, authorities and communities face a critical test of disaster preparedness as the storm moves inexorably toward land, threatening lives and livelihoods across northern Luzon and beyond.