Super Typhoon Ragasa Causes Destruction in Hong Kong, Generating Enormous Waves That Crash Into Hotel Lobbies and Resulting in Extensive Damage Throughout East Asia.

Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest tropical cyclone of 2025, struck southern China after devastating East Asia, including Hong Kong and Taiwan. With ferocious winds and heavy rainfall, Ragasa paralyzed Hong Kong, causing significant infrastructure damage and leading to a rare red storm surge warning due to predicted waves up to 2.8 meters.

Over 2 million people were evacuated, and at least 90 sustained injuries in Hong Kong alone. Businesses, especially in Macau, were forced to close, and residents sought refuge in temporary shelters.

The storm disrupted Hong Kong’s aviation sector severely, with around 80% of flights canceled or relocated, affecting major airlines like Cathay Pacific, which canceled over 500 flights and planned a gradual resumption. The International Airport remained closed for 36 hours, reflecting the city’s highest typhoon alert level.

Ragasa also delayed Zijin Gold International’s planned debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, moving it from September 29 to September 30 due to the storm’s impact on business operations. The IPO was set to raise approximately $3.2 billion.

Having wreaked havoc earlier in Taiwan and the Philippines—where it killed at least 27 people—Ragasa caused flooding and damage in Taiwan, with Hualien County particularly affected. In the Philippines, 10 fatalities occurred, with 700,000 people impacted by the storm.

Upon reaching southern China, the typhoon brought wind gusts of up to 241 kph, prompting mass evacuations in Guangdong province. The storm, tied as the second-strongest since 1950 in the South China Sea, raised alarms about potential increases in the frequency and intensity of such weather events due to climate change. Relief efforts are ongoing in the hardest-hit regions.