Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s aviation sector is facing major disruptions as Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest tropical cyclone globally this year, approaches the region. Airlines have taken precautionary measures by relocating most of their aircraft to safer locations across Japan, China, Cambodia, Europe, and Australia.

Hong Kong International Airport suspended all flights for 36 hours starting Tuesday evening. Cathay Pacific Airways, the city’s largest carrier, canceled over 500 long-haul and regional flights and moved several planes out of Hong Kong. Other airlines, including Greater Bay Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines, have followed similar measures to safeguard their fleets.

Authorities issued Typhoon Signal 10, the highest warning, urging businesses and transport services to halt operations. Residents are preparing by securing homes, stockpiling essentials, and taking precautions in low-lying areas. Supermarkets have seen a surge in panic buying as the city braces for the storm.

The typhoon has also caused serious impacts in surrounding regions. In Taiwan, flooding from a barrier lake overflow has killed at least 14 people. In Guangdong province, China, over 770,000 people have been evacuated, with emergency shelters prepared to accommodate more than one million residents.

Despite severe weather conditions, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange remains open, while Macau has temporarily closed its casinos. Travel disruptions continue across the region as authorities monitor the storm’s path and safety measures remain in effect.