Super typhoon Ragasa is expected to sweep south of Hong Kong and Macao imminently after lashing the Philippines with windspeeds approaching 270kmph, forcing thousands to evacuate.
The storm has already caused warnings of a “high risk of life-threatening storm surge” with waves exceeding three metres (10ft) in the Philippines.
Officials caution that Ragasa could trigger widespread flooding, landslides, and major damage to homes and infrastructure across affected regions. Authorities urged residents to stockpile emergency supplies, reinforce doors and windows, and evacuate underground areas.
While Hong Kong's airport is expected to remain open, the city's airport authority said flights would be significantly reduced after 6 pm Tuesday and most flight operations would be affected on Wednesday.
All schools in Hong Kong and Macao will be closed for the next two days. More than the usual number of sandbags have been provided to flood-prone areas in Hong Kong, while Macao police urged people living in low-lying areas to prepare for possible evacuation.
Ragasa is also expected to bring torrential rains and heavy winds to China's mainland coastal areas, starting Tuesday. Multiple cities such as Jiangmen, Yangjiang, Zhongshan and Zhuhai in southern Guangdong province ordered the suspension of schools, offices, factories and means of transportation.
The typhoon could make landfall in Guangdong more than once, China's weather agency said.
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Key Points
- More than 10,000 evacuated across northern Philippines
- Filipino authorities warn of ‘life-threatening conditions’ as Ragasa makes landfall in Cagayan province
- Hong Kong International Airport to suspend all flights for 36 hours
- Authorities planning to evacuate 400,000 residents from southern China
At least three people killed in Philippines, thousands displaced
04:27
,
Stuti Mishra
At least three people have been killed and five others remain missing after Super Typhoon Ragasa triggered flooding and landslides across northern Philippines, officials said on Monday.
The victims included a 74-year-old man who was pinned inside a vehicle buried by mud and rocks in the mountain town of Tuba, Benguet province, while being rushed to hospital. Two others died in Calayan town, a cluster of islands in northern Cagayan province where the storm made landfall.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said more than 17,500 people have been displaced as Ragasa – the most powerful storm to hit the Philippines this year – lashed Luzon with winds over 175kmph.
Schools and government offices were closed across Manila and 29 northern provinces, while fishing boats and ferries were ordered to stay in port. Dozens of domestic flights were cancelled.
Ragasa, whose name means “scramble” in Tagalog, is forecast to continue towards southern Taiwan and Hong Kong after leaving the Philippines on Tuesday.
Watch how Super Typhoon Ragasa intensified
03:57
,
Stuti Mishra
A remarkable two-day time lapse of Super Typhoon Ragasa.
— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) September 23, 2025
Over the next few days, Ragasa will continue it's trek west towards China. pic.twitter.com/6MW6BrrLjO
Super Typhoon Ragasa mapped: ‘Strongest storm on planet’ forces evacuations in Philippines and Taiwan
03:01
,
Tom Watling
Watch Typhoon Ragasa live as ‘world’s strongest storm this year’ forces evacuations and flight disruptions
02:02
,
Tom Watling
Ragasa expected to hit China's mainland coastal areas
01:07
,
Tom Watling
Ragasa is expected to bring torrential rains and heavy winds to China's mainland coastal areas, starting Tuesday. Multiple cities such as Jiangmen, Yangjiang, Zhongshan and Zhuhai in southern Guangdong province ordered the suspension of schools, offices, factories and means of transportation.
The typhoon could make landfall in Guangdong more than once, China's weather agency said.
Authorities urged residents to stockpile emergency supplies, reinforce doors and windows, and evacuate underground areas.
Super typhoon blowing by northern Philippines and Taiwan forces evacuations and closures
Tuesday 23 September 2025 00:06
,
Tom Watling
Super Typhoon Ragasa hits Hong Kong
Monday 22 September 2025 23:06
,
Tom Watling
Ragasa is expected to sweep south of Hong Kong and Macao. While Hong Kong's airport is expected to remain open, the city's airport authority said flights would be significantly reduced after 6 p.m. Tuesday and most flight operations would be affected on Wednesday.
Hong Kong's flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways said passenger flights scheduled to depart and arrive in the city after 6 p.m. Tuesday will be suspended, with more than 500 flight cancellations expected.
Other Hong Kong-based airlines announced their flights would be disrupted, including budget airline HK Express, which reported a cancellation of over 100 flights between Tuesday and Thursday.
All schools in Hong Kong and Macao will be closed for the next two days. More than the usual number of sandbags have been provided to flood-prone areas in Hong Kong, while Macao police urged people living in low-lying areas to prepare for possible evacuation.
Super Typhoon Ragasa mapped: ‘Strongest storm on planet’ forces evacuations in Philippines and Taiwan
Monday 22 September 2025 22:01
,
Tom Watling
Philippines weather agency warns of 'high risk of life-threatening' surge due to 'coastal inundation'
Monday 22 September 2025 21:03
,
Maira Butt
Citizens of the Philippines have been warned “there is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) within the next 24 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities" of the northern provinces of Cagayan, Batanes, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.
The risk comes from coastal inundation, which occurs when low-lying land is flooded due to extremely high water levels.
Calayan Island and the entire northern mountain province of Apayayo, west of Cagayan, saw its power knocked out, according to disaster-report officials.
Over 4,000 officers on standby as Super Typhoon looms
Monday 22 September 2025 20:30
,
Maira Butt
Hong Kong is set to axe 700 flights with 4,000 officers on standby according to the South China Morning Post.
Chief Secretary for the China Administration, Eric Chan Kwok-ki, urged the public to remain indoors and warned that stringent enforcement action if instructions were ignored.
Watch Typhoon Ragasa live as ‘world’s strongest storm this year’ forces evacuations and flight disruptions
Monday 22 September 2025 20:02
,
Maira Butt
Watch live as Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful storm recorded this year, passes through the Phillipines whilst China, Hong Kong and Taiwan go on high alert.
The superstorm with recorded winds of 270km/h has made landall over sparskely populated northern islands on Monday (22 September), with tens of thousands being evacuated as a result.
Holly Bishop reports:
In pictures: Satellite images show scale of strongest storm in the world this year
Monday 22 September 2025 19:30
,
Maira Butt
Filipino authorities issue flood warning
Monday 22 September 2025 19:05
,
Maira Butt
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has issued a flood warning for Manila.
The warning, effective from 22–23 September, signals the possibility of heavy rainfall and localised flooding in the capital region.
Authorities have advised residents and local officials to take precautionary measures to minimise potential impacts.
IMPACT-BASED WARNING NO. 3 (Heavy Rainfall / Flood Event)
— PAGASA-DOST (@dost_pagasa) September 22, 2025
Issued at: 03:00PM, 22 September 2025
Weather System: Enhance Southwest Monsoon (STY Nando)
Warning date of “high impact” weather: 22-23 September 2025 (Monday - Tuesday)
Risk statement: Minor impacts are expected over… pic.twitter.com/sV9KkqP09W
Cathay Pacific cancels flights to and from Hong Kong as Super Typhoon approaches
Monday 22 September 2025 18:30
,
Maira Butt
A number of flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday and Wednesday have been cancelled.
Hong Kong’s flag carrier said affected passengers would be alerted via SMS, email and the Cathay Pacific app.
Super Typhoon Ragasa mapped: ‘Strongest storm on planet’ forces evacuations in Philippines and Taiwan
Monday 22 September 2025 18:03
,
Maira Butt
Ragasa, the strongest storm on the planet this year so far, has threatened the north of the island country and set off storm alerts across east and southeast Asia. Forecasters said Ragasa, known locally as Typhoon Nando, had undergone “explosive strengthening” over the Philippine Sea.
The storm intensified as it packed winds of 215kmph (134 mph) and gusts of up to 295kmph (160 mph), and brushed Babuyan Island in the early hours of Monday. Ragasa is headed for possible landfall over Calayan Island, raising the risk of storm surges exceeding three metres (9ft), the state weather agency said.
Stuti Mishra reports:
In pictures: Supermarkets empty in Shenzhen, in southern China's Guangdong province, as Super Typhoon Ragasa looms
Monday 22 September 2025 17:30
,
Maira Butt
Philippine government says it has enough resources to assist typhoon-affected communities
Monday 22 September 2025 17:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Officials in the Philippines said that the government has enough resources to assist communities affected by Super Typhoon Ragasa (locally known as Super Typhoon Nando).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has also ordered immediate support for affected residents and frontline agencies, according to the Philippine News Agency.
Officials say the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund currently has about $147m set aside for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in disaster-hit areas.
A local official was quoted as saying: “Our citizens should not worry. We have sufficient funds.”
Hong Kong residents stock up on food and essentials as Ragasa approaches the city
Monday 22 September 2025 16:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Residents in Hong Kong rushed to supermarkets today to stock up on food and essentials ahead of Super Typhoon Ragasa, with some comparing the crowds to the Lunar New Year.
Fresh vegetables, meat, and baked goods sold out quickly, leaving empty shelves in many stores.
The Hong Kong Observatory issued a No 1 typhoon warning at 12.20 pm, with Ragasa approaching the city with winds of 230 kmph.
Shoppers adjusted plans and stocked up for several days as authorities warned of severe weather in the coming two days.
Authorities planning to evacuate 400,000 residents from southern China
Monday 22 September 2025 16:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Cities in southern China are preparing for Super Typhoon Ragasa, with Shenzhen warning of “disastrous calamities” and planning to relocate 400,000 residents from flood-prone areas.
Schools in Shenzhen will also be suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Typhoon #Ragasa is over the Luzon Strait and will parallel the southern coast of #China later Tuesday into Thursday, local time. Ragasa will impact northern #Vietnam late this week. pic.twitter.com/mISWD1jY4R
— Jason Nicholls (@jnmet) September 22, 2025
The National Meteorological Centre reported that Ragasa intensified into a super typhoon on Sunday and is expected to make landfall along coastal areas from Shanwei in Guangdong province to Wenchang in Hainan on Wednesday.
Torrential rains of up to 280mm are forecast from Tuesday to Thursday in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces.
Hong Kong Airport will 'continue operations' as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches
Monday 22 September 2025 15:53
,
Maira Butt
Hong Kong International Airport will “continue operations when Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches”, it confirmed in a statement on Monday.
A temporary rest area will be set up for passengers, complete with chairs and mobile charging stations.
“The Passenger Care Team will be deployed to provide assistance to passengers and distribute essential supplies such as bottled water, snacks and blankets,” it said in a statement.
International Space Station shares image of the eye of Super Typhoon Ragasa
Monday 22 September 2025 15:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
The International Space Station captured a stunning view as it flew directly over the eye of Super Typhoon Ragasa on Monday.
The still image, taken from a video shared on X, showed the massive storm swirling across the Pacific.
Watch Typhoon Ragasa live as ‘world’s strongest storm this year’ forces evacuations and flight disruptions
Monday 22 September 2025 15:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Watch live as Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful storm recorded this year, passes through the Philippines whilst China, Hong Kong and Taiwan go on high alert.
The superstorm with recorded winds of 270kmph made landfall over sparsely populated northern islands on Monday (22 September), with tens of thousands being evacuated as a result.
The Philippine weather bureau described the typhoon as bringing with it a “high risk of life-threatening storm surge”, with peak wave heights of over 3 metres.
Red rainfall warning for several provinces in northern Philippines
Monday 22 September 2025 14:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
The Philippine weather bureau (Pagasa) has issued a red rainfall warning for Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Benguet, and La Union in northern Philippines with over 200mm of rain expected, raising risks of widespread flooding and landslides.
An orange warning is in effect for Apayao, Cagayan, and Abra, where 100–200mm of rain could trigger flooding in low-lying and urban areas, Philstar Global reported.
Latest Satellite Image pic.twitter.com/jBDzNh6mDs
— PAGASA-DOST (@dost_pagasa) September 22, 2025
A yellow warning covers Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Occidental Mindoro, where localised flooding and landslides are possible.
Separately, for the next three hours, an orange rainfall warning applies to Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, including Bataan, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac, Cavite, and parts of Rizal.
Several Philippine provinces without electricity
Monday 22 September 2025 14:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said on Monday that two major transmission lines in northern Luzon went down after Super Typhoon Ragasa swept through the region, cutting electricity to parts of Cagayan and Abra provinces.
Repairs will begin once conditions are safe, officials said.
The country’s largest power distributor, Meralco, said its crews are on standby and urged residents to “prioritise safety and remain vigilant, especially in flood-prone areas”.
Tropical Cyclone Update #NandoPH
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 22, 2025
2PM, September 22, 2025
Life-threatening conditions persist in Extreme Northern Luzon as Nando passes very close to Babuyan Island.
It may make landfall over or pass very close to Calayan Island between 2 and 5 p.m. Monday.
At 1 p.m. today,… pic.twitter.com/Fah7CND6K4
Customers were advised to report outages through social media, hotlines, or SMS.
According to the state weather bureau Pagasa, the storm’s centre was near Babuyan Island in northern Cagayan province on Monday afternoon, with sustained winds of 215 kmph and gusts up to 295 kmph – making Ragasa the strongest storm of the year so far.
Super Typhoon Ragasa mapped: ‘Strongest storm on planet’ forces evacuations in Philippines and Taiwan
Monday 22 September 2025 13:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Storm known locally as Typhoon Nando bears down with destructive winds and torrential rain after undergoing ‘explosive strengthening’ over the Philippine Sea.
Read here:
Hong Kong Jockey Club cancels races due to Ragasa
Monday 22 September 2025 13:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has cancelled Wednesday’s races at Happy Valley Racecourse due to Super Typhoon Ragasa.
“This decision has been made in the interest of public and equine safety, and to support the operational needs of stakeholders across the racing industry,” a statement read.
The Hong Kong Observatory said the storm, the strongest in the northwest Pacific this year, will bring gale to storm force winds by midweek, with offshore gusts possibly reaching hurricane strength.
UPDATE: In light of the approaching Super Typhoon Ragasa and the latest forecasts issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has decided that the Happy Valley race meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 24 Sep, will be cancelled. #HKracing
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) September 21, 2025
Authorities have also cleared drains at over 240 flood-prone locations, while warning that sudden blockages cannot be ruled out, Hong Kong Free Press reported.
Hong Kong is bracing for heavy squalls, thunderstorms and coastal flooding comparable to Super Typhoons Hato in 2017 and Mangkhut in 2018.
Residents share videos and photos of wreckage as Ragasa strikes northern Philippines
Monday 22 September 2025 12:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Video coming out of Balatubat, Camiguin Island, Cagayan from over an hour ago showing the strong winds and big waves as Super Typhoon #NandoPH (#RAGASA) approaches.
— StormHQ ☈ (@StormHQwx) September 22, 2025
Babuyan Island is expected to feel the worst of the storm where 19,000 people lives.
: Elma Mariano pic.twitter.com/IpTMPHV8zY
The wind is quite chaotic, due to surrounding hills. Periods of calm interrupted by strong gusts of wind as #super #typhoon #ragasa #nandoph passes south of Batan in Philippines pic.twitter.com/fYDwUfalUq
— James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) September 22, 2025
Super #typhoon #ragasa #nandoph is moving away from Batan. The islands south bore the brunt of it. Heavy squalls still lashing us here but conditions should steadily ease over the next few hours pic.twitter.com/yCutAxcER3
— James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) September 22, 2025
while the country is battling corruption and typhoon at the same time, I hope everyone stays safe. Make sure to take your pets out of cages and remove their leashes so they can move freely. <3 #NandoPH
— Neithh (@minatozvki_) September 22, 2025
ctto. (video not mine) https://t.co/fIRqC2Eavp pic.twitter.com/GAsTeXW58v
TAKE CARE AND STAY INDOORS!
— Be An INQUIRER (@BeAnINQUIRER) September 22, 2025
WATCH: Super Typhoon Nando brought persistent rainfall and intense winds in Baguio City on Monday afternoon, Sept. 22.
: @zxyl.000/TikTok | @_angelmcs #BeAnINQUIRER #BAIxINQ pic.twitter.com/Sv3ghzl3eL
Super Typhoon Ragasa threatens Taiwan, Vietnam, and southern China
Monday 22 September 2025 12:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Although Super Typhoon Ragasa will not directly hit Taiwan, its outer bands are expected to bring heavy rain to the island’s sparsely populated east coast.
Taiwanese authorities have issued land and sea warnings, cancelled 146 domestic flights, and evacuated more than 900 residents from mountainous southern and eastern areas, according to Associated Press.
In Vietnam, the defence ministry has instructed forces to monitor the storm and prepare for a possible landfall later this week.
China has activated flood control measures in several southern provinces, warning of heavy rainfall starting Tuesday night.
Residents of a Filipino island where Ragasa made landfall experiencing ‘stadium effect’, expert says
Monday 22 September 2025 11:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
A tropical cyclone enthusiast and hurricane historian, Michael Ferragamo, said that people in Babuyan Island in Cagayan province, where Super Typhoon Ragasa made landfall today, must be experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime moment: the stadium effect.
He wrote on X: “Right now, everybody on Babuyan Island is experiencing one of the most incredible displays known to man — the stadium effect.
“People are likely coming out of their shelters and looking up, only to see cliffs of clouds rising all around them — like standing in the middle of an open-air amphitheatre.
“To be in such a clear eye surrounded by an intense eyewall is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for most. Super Typhoon #RAGASA is the first Category 5 landfall on the island since DINAH 1965.”
Right now, everybody on Babuyan Island is experiencing one of the most incredible displays known to man — the stadium effect.
— Michael Ferragamo (@FerragamoWx) September 22, 2025
People are likely coming out of their shelters and looking up, only to see cliffs of clouds rising all around them — like standing in the middle of an… pic.twitter.com/7UE8Vpnkvz
Authorities planning to evacuate 400,000 residents from southern China
Monday 22 September 2025 11:02
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Cities in southern China are preparing for Super Typhoon Ragasa, with Shenzhen warning of “disastrous calamities” and planning to relocate 400,000 residents from flood-prone areas.
Schools in Shenzhen will also be suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The National Meteorological Centre reported that Ragasa intensified into a super typhoon on Sunday and is expected to make landfall along coastal areas from Shanwei in Guangdong province to Wenchang in Hainan on Wednesday.
Torrential rains of up to 280mm are forecast from Tuesday to Thursday in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces.
Floodwaters submerge rice fields in Cagayan province as Super Typhoon Ragasa hits
Monday 22 September 2025 10:40
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
In several areas in Cagayan province in northern Philippines, rice fields have been submerged in floodwaters as Super Typhoon Ragasa continues to unleash heavy rain over northern Luzon.
The rapidly rising water has caught many farmers by surprise, destroying crops that were already planted for the season, Rappler reported on Monday.
Resident Christine Faith Javier-Piedad described how the floodwaters swept through the rice paddies around her home in just a matter of minutes.
WATCH: Strong rain and winds batter Eugenio Lopez Drive in Quezon City (along ABS-CBN’s Audience Entrance area) on Monday, Sept. 22 as #NandoPH makes its landfall on the PAR. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/ZW3RxpZO6z
— Hannah Mallorca (@HMallorcaINQ) September 22, 2025
She told the outlet that “some of the rice here was almost ready for harvest...”, adding that “it’s another loss, because nothing has been harvested yet”.
The flooding comes as thousands of residents in northern Cagayan province and neighbouring provinces remain on high alert, with emergency services mobilised to respond to life-threatening conditions.
Filipino authorities issue flood warning
Monday 22 September 2025 10:20
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has issued a flood warning for Manila.
The warning, effective from 22–23 September, signals the possibility of heavy rainfall and localised flooding in the capital region.
Authorities have advised residents and local officials to take precautionary measures to minimise potential impacts.
IMPACT-BASED WARNING NO. 3 (Heavy Rainfall / Flood Event)
— PAGASA-DOST (@dost_pagasa) September 22, 2025
Issued at: 03:00PM, 22 September 2025
Weather System: Enhance Southwest Monsoon (STY Nando)
Warning date of “high impact” weather: 22-23 September 2025 (Monday - Tuesday)
Risk statement: Minor impacts are expected over… pic.twitter.com/sV9KkqP09W
Pagasa urged the public to remain alert.
In a post on X, the agency said:
• Stay indoors and stay tuned for the latest news and weather updates.
• DO NOT touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in floodwater.
• DO NOT go swimming or boating in swollen rivers.
• DO NOT cross streams when the water level is already above the knee.• DO NOT walk or drive through flooded areas.
• Leave the evacuation area only when authorities say it is safe to return home.
• Report fallen trees and electric posts to proper authorities.
• Check for wet or submerged electrical outlets and appliances before turning on electricity.
• Check your house for possible damage and repair as necessary.
• Make sure that the food and water for drinking are not contaminated by flood water.
• Throw away rainwater in cans, pots and tires to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.
