Super Typhoon Ragasa, dubbed the “King of Storms,” has unleashed catastrophic damage across the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China, triggering deadly floods, mass evacuations, and widespread infrastructure collapse.
Eastern Taiwan bore the brunt of the storm when a decades-old barrier lake burst in Hualien County, sweeping away bridges and turning roads into rivers. At least 14 people were confirmed dead, 17 remain missing, and 32 were injured. In Guangfu township, over half the population fled to higher ground as floodwaters engulfed homes and vehicles.
In the northern Philippines, Ragasa claimed at least 10 lives, including seven fishermen who drowned off the coast of Cagayan province. Nearly 700,000 people were affected, with 25,000 seeking shelter in evacuation centers.
Hong Kong experienced hurricane-force winds reaching 195 kph, causing injuries to over 90 people and widespread property damage. Viral footage showed seawater smashing through the glass doors of the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel.
Southern China’s Guangdong province saw over 2 million residents evacuated before Ragasa made landfall on Hailing Island. Streets turned into rivers, power was cut in low-lying areas, and rescue teams deployed inflatable boats to reach stranded residents. Over 600 flights were canceled in Hong Kong, and rail services across Guangxi were suspended.
Governments across the region have mobilized emergency response teams, earmarked millions in relief funds, and begun massive cleanup operations. As the storm weakens over mainland China, the full scale of devastation continues to emerge.
