MANY ASIAN COUNTRIES RAVAGED BY SUPER TYPHOON RAGASA

Super Typhoon Ragasa swept through Asia in the week of September 20, 2025, causing heavy flooding and widespread destruction.

A typhoon is similar to a hurricane or a cyclone. The main difference is the regions where they occur. These storms usually form when moist, warm air rising from the sea creates a low-pressure area. In the case of Ragasa, this occurred on September 17, 2025, when it surfaced as a small weather system in the Pacific. The center of the typhoon is always relatively calm, also called the eye of the storm. However, the surrounding winds are very high, with heavy rain pouring in a circle that stretches nearly 100 miles around the eye. Ragasa quickly reached Category 5 strength on September 21, 2025, achieving top winds of up to 177 mph.

Ragasa first hit the Babuyan and Batanes Islands of the Philippines on September 22, 2025. It caused the evacuation of thousands of people and also the deaths of at least ten people. The storm also caused power outages, blocked roads, and led to the closure of many schools and businesses.

Next, Ragasa hit Taiwan and China on September 24, 2025. The breaking of a barrier lake caused flooding in Hualien Village, Guangfu Township, Taiwan. The floods resulted in the deaths of 18 people. As of September 29, 2025, seven people were still missing. Hong Kong was hit the same day. Severe flooding halted public transportation, closed multiple schools, and affected businesses. The storm was intense enough to force the international airport to shut down for 36 hours. This marked the longest full shutdown in the airport’s history. Ragasa made landfall in Guangdong province, with winds of nearly 150 mph. The storm caused extensive flooding, resulting in significant damage to infrastructure. As a precaution, the government evacuated nearly 2 million people. After ravaging the province, Ragasa weakened to a tropical storm and then completely dissipated over Vietnam on September 25, 2025.

Cleanup and recovery are already underway in the affected areas. The Philippines is currently reopening blocked roads and helping families get back home safely. Taiwan is still searching for the missing people, while residents are clearing the mud off their houses and businesses. Hong Kong has removed nearly 1,000 fallen trees, reopened most of its roads, and reopened all of the airport’s runways. Hong Kong’s public transportation has largely resumed. China is already clearing the debris, repairing power lines, and restoring damaged infrastructure.

Sources: https://www.dogonews.com/2025/9/29/super-typhoon-ragasa-sweeps-across-asia