Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful storm to hit the planet in 2025, has unleashed a trail of destruction across East and Southeast Asia, leaving communities reeling from its deadly force. With hurricane-strength winds, torrential rain, and historic storm surges, Ragasa’s path has upended daily life in the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China, forcing millions to flee and prompting governments to scramble emergency responses on a scale rarely seen.
In Taiwan, the devastation was immediate and severe. According to CNN, at least 14 people lost their lives and 129 remain missing after a natural dam, created by a recently formed lake, collapsed under the typhoon’s relentless rain. The collapse unleashed a staggering 68 million tons of water, flooding Guangfu township and submerging entire neighborhoods. Rescue teams are searching frantically for survivors, but the scale of the disaster has left many families anxiously awaiting news.
The Philippines, no stranger to violent tropical storms, braced for impact as Ragasa—locally known as “Nando”—struck northern Luzon with punishing winds and rain. On Monday, September 22, tens of thousands of residents were evacuated, with authorities warning of “life-threatening storm surge” exceeding three meters in vulnerable provinces like Cagayan, Batanes, and Ilocos. Power outages swept across Calayan island and Apayao province, while schools and offices shuttered in 29 provinces, including the bustling capital region of Metro Manila. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended government work, and disaster officials reported that over 10,000 people had sought refuge in evacuation centers. As the Department of the Interior and Local Government stated, “Homes and property can be rebuilt, but lives lost can never be replaced.”
As Ragasa churned north, Taiwan’s government took no chances. Nearly 300 residents were evacuated from Hualien County, ferry services were suspended, and authorities warned that the storm’s outer bands could trigger dangerous landslides and flooding in mountainous regions. Closures swept through southern counties as officials issued a land typhoon warning, urging all residents to remain vigilant and indoors.
Hong Kong, the global financial hub, faced a citywide shutdown as Ragasa approached. On Wednesday, September 24, the Hong Kong Observatory issued its highest-level No 10 warning at 2:40 a.m., a signal that brought the city to a grinding halt. Winds reached up to 100 miles per hour, tearing through high-rises and sending huge waves crashing into seaside hotels. The storm passed within 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Hong Kong, causing widespread damage, including fallen trees and flooded rivers. The warning was gradually downgraded throughout the day, but not before the city experienced frequent heavy squally showers, large waves, and a significant rise in water levels. Residents were strongly urged to stay indoors as the storm raged outside.
Pre-emptive measures were extensive. About 600 flights were canceled on Tuesday, September 23, with limited cargo freight operating the following day. The city’s Education Bureau suspended all classes for two days, and hospitals activated emergency protocols to ensure critical services remained available. Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s flagship airline, anticipated canceling more than 500 flights, with operations halted until Thursday daytime. Other carriers, including Qantas, also warned of major disruptions. The Hong Kong Observatory, as reported by the South China Morning Post, cautioned that conditions could rival those seen during 2018’s devastating Typhoon Mangkhut, underscoring the extraordinary severity of Ragasa.
Across the border in mainland China, the situation was equally tense. In southern China’s Guangdong province, more than two million people were evacuated as the storm barreled toward the coast. Shenzhen officials announced on Sunday, September 21, that about 400,000 residents would be relocated from low-lying and coastal areas to escape the threat of severe flooding and storm surges. “The city plans to relocate and resettle approximately 400,000 people, including those residing in temporary shelters, low-lying areas, and coastal regions,” the emergency management bureau explained. In addition, schools, offices, and transport services were suspended in multiple cities, including Jiangmen, Zhuhai, and Zhongshan. Authorities urged residents to stockpile food and water, reinforce doors and windows, and prepare for repeated landfalls as Ragasa’s massive system moved across the coastline.
The neighboring city of Macao also ramped up preparations, with police urging residents of low-lying areas to be ready for evacuation at a moment’s notice. Flood barriers and sandbags were installed throughout Hong Kong and southern China, and emergency shelters were readied for the influx of evacuees.
Ragasa’s arrival marks the ninth typhoon to strike the region in 2025, well above the average of six, according to reports from SAN and CNN. The storm’s intensity set it apart: when it made landfall in the northern Philippines, it was equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, boasting sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 265 kph. Even after weakening as it moved inland, Ragasa continued to disrupt lives and infrastructure across vast swathes of East Asia.
The timing could hardly be worse. Typhoon season in the region is far from over, and forecasters warn that the impacts of Ragasa will be felt for days as the system churns inland. To make matters even more challenging, another storm—Typhoon Opong—was intensifying in the Philippines in Ragasa’s wake, adding further anxiety for residents still reeling from the devastation.
Scientists point to a troubling trend behind Ragasa’s rapid intensification. As reported by multiple outlets, including the South China Morning Post, experts say that warming oceans are fueling stronger, more destructive storms across the Pacific. The Philippines, already one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations, faces an average of 20 typhoons each year, and Hong Kong recently recorded its wettest August since records began in 1884. These developments underline the growing volatility and unpredictability of extreme weather in the era of climate change.
Despite the destruction, communities across the affected regions have shown remarkable resilience. Emergency crews, volunteers, and neighbors have come together to clear debris, rescue those stranded, and provide food and shelter to those in need. The road to recovery will be long, and the memories of Ragasa’s fury will linger. But as the skies begin to clear and the waters recede, the focus now shifts to rebuilding—and to preparing for whatever storms may come next.