The Aftermath of Super Typhoon Ragasa
Taiwan — Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms of 2025, has left a path of devastation across East Asia. The Category 5-equivalent storm caused widespread damage in the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China, leading to numerous fatalities, missing persons, and mass evacuations.
Taiwan: A Disaster Triggered by Nature
The most tragic event occurred in Hualien County, Taiwan, where a sudden and catastrophic flood took at least 14 lives and left over 124 people missing. Days of relentless rain from the typhoon caused a landslide that blocked a river, creating a temporary barrier lake. When this natural dam burst, it unleashed a wall of water that swept through Guangfu township, destroying homes and bridges. Survivors have criticized what they called inadequate evacuation warnings, raising serious questions about emergency protocols and disaster preparedness.
The Philippines and China: Early Impacts and Mass Evacuations
Before reaching Taiwan, the typhoon known locally as Typhoon Nando, first lashed the northern Philippines. It caused several deaths and displaced thousands of residents with heavy rainfall that triggered landslides and flooding.
As Ragasa continued its path, it moved toward southern China, prompting massive preemptive evacuations. Authorities in Guangdong province relocated over a million residents from coastal and low-lying areas, with cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai on high alert for storm surges. Flights and train services were canceled, and schools and businesses were closed across more than a dozen cities.
Hong Kong and Macau: Bracing for the Storm
In Hong Kong, authorities issued the highest typhoon signals as the storm skirted the territory. The city experienced hurricane-force winds and significant flooding, with waves overtopping promenades and a hotel lobby being flooded by a storm surge. Public transport was suspended, schools and businesses were closed, and dozens of people were injured as high winds toppled trees and sent debris flying. Neighboring Macau also saw widespread flooding, with hundreds of residents seeking refuge in temporary shelters.
A Stark Warning for the Future
Ragasa 's destructive power has led to calls for a review of disaster management policies, especially concerning the unpredictable nature of natural dam failures. Meteorologists have noted the storm's "rapid intensification" , a hallmark of its destructive power and are drawing comparisons to other major storms like Typhoon Mangkhut (2018) and Typhoon Morakot (2009). Experts warn that as the climate changes and oceans warm, such intense and rapidly strengthening storms are likely to become more common, underscoring the urgent need for more resilient infrastructure and better early-warning systems throughout the region.
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