Wed Sep 24 09:00:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Super Typhoon Ragasa Devastates Asia, Leaving Trail of Destruction and Casualties**

Hong Kong/Taipei – Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm recorded globally this year, has brought havoc to several Asian regions, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming lives. The storm’s impact has been felt most acutely in Taiwan, where a barrier lake burst its banks in Guangfu, resulting in at least 15 fatalities and leaving 17 missing, a figure revised down after initial reports.

The typhoon brought Hong Kong and Macau to a standstill, with streets deserted and waves crashing over promenades. Hong Kong International Airport faced major disruptions, with hundreds of flights cancelled and airlines relocating a significant portion of their fleets to avoid damage. Cathay Pacific alone cancelled over 500 flights.

In mainland China, nearly 1.9 million people have been evacuated in Guangdong province, the country’s economic hub. The Chinese marine authority issued a red wave warning, anticipating storm surges up to 2.8 meters in parts of the province. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in the densely populated Pearl River Delta. Schools, factories, and transit services have been suspended in numerous cities.

Earlier, Ragasa lashed the Philippines, resulting in at least three deaths due to widespread flooding and landslides.

Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai has called for an investigation into potential failures in evacuation orders in Guangfu, where the breach of the barrier lake resulted in significant casualties. Residents reported insufficient warning before the devastating flood. The government has stated that approximately 60 million tonnes of water were released from the lake. Soldiers are distributing supplies in armoured vehicles as rescue efforts continue.

While the eye of the storm has moved past Hong Kong and impacts there are subsiding, flight disruptions are expected to continue into Thursday.

The disaster underscores the vulnerability of coastal communities to extreme weather events and highlights the need for effective disaster preparedness and response measures.

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