Hong Kong and southern China are on high alert as Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful tropical cyclone in the world this year, approaches. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, with most businesses and schools closing and over 700 flights disrupted across the region, including Macau and Taiwan.

Panic buying set in as people rushed to supermarkets to stock up on essentials, leaving shelves almost empty. Residents taped windows and reinforced homes with sandbags in preparation for hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall. Offshore and high-ground areas are expected to experience extreme storm surges, with water levels potentially reaching up to four to five metres (12-15 feet) along the coast.

The typhoon, which swept through the northern Philippines on Monday, is moving toward Guangdong province. Local authorities have evacuated more than 370,000 people, and emergency shelters are prepared in cities like Shenzhen. Coastal waters are forecast to experience waves up to seven metres (21 feet), prompting authorities to halt work, close schools, and suspend transport services in over 11 cities in Guangdong.

In Taiwan, mountainous regions reported almost 60 cm of rainfall, 25 injuries, and ongoing transport disruptions with hundreds of flight cancellations. Meanwhile, Macau’s casinos will remain closed during the typhoon, while Hong Kong’s Stock Exchange will continue trading despite the severe weather.

With sustained winds of up to 220 km/h (137 mph) and storm surges similar to Typhoon Hato (2017) and Mangkhut (2018), Ragasa poses a serious threat to the densely populated coastal areas of southern China. Authorities urge residents to take all necessary precautions and stay informed through official updates.

Stay safe and keep monitoring local forecasts and alerts as Super Typhoon Ragasa moves closer to land.