Thousands of residents in northern villages of the Philippines have been forced to evacuate as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches, bringing fears of severe flooding and landslides. The storm made landfall on Panuitan Island in Cagayan province on the afternoon of March 11, 2024, with sustained winds reaching 215 km/h and gusts up to 295 km/h, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The typhoon, classified as a super typhoon due to its intensity, is moving westward and is expected to remain in the South China Sea until at least March 13, while skirting south of Taiwan and Hong Kong before potentially striking the Chinese mainland. PAGASA has issued warnings of coastal inundation, stating there is a “high risk of life-threatening storm surge” with waves exceeding three meters in low-lying areas of Cagayan, Batanes, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
As a precautionary measure, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced the suspension of government work and classes across the capital and in 29 provinces throughout northern Luzon. Over 8,200 individuals were evacuated to safety in Cagayan, while an additional 1,220 sought refuge in emergency shelters in the flood-prone province of Apayao. The typhoon has already caused power outages in Calayan Island and the northern mountain province of Apayao, with no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.
Transport services have also been severely affected. Domestic flights in the northern provinces have been suspended, and local authorities have prohibited fishing boats and inter-island ferries from departing due to rough sea conditions. Ragasa marks the 14th major storm to impact the Philippines in 2024, coinciding with ongoing investigations into alleged corruption related to flood control projects.
In Taiwan, authorities in southern Taitung and Pingtung counties have ordered closures in coastal and mountainous areas, with the Central News Agency reporting canceled afternoon flights to outlying islands and the suspension of various ferry services.
In China, preparations are underway as the typhoon approaches. In Fujian province, over 50 ferry routes have been suspended, and officials in Shenzhen, a major tech hub, are relocating approximately 400,000 residents from low-lying and flood-prone areas. Shenzhen’s airport announced it would halt flights starting on the evening of March 12, as the National Meteorological Centre forecasts the typhoon’s landfall between Shenzhen and Xuwen county in Guangdong province on March 13.
Huang Kunming, the Communist Party chief in Guangdong, emphasized the need for all departments to minimize harm and enter a “war-ready state.” As Ragasa approaches, heavy rains and strong winds are anticipated across coastal areas of the Chinese mainland, beginning March 12. In Hong Kong, while the airport is expected to remain operational, significant reductions in flight schedules are anticipated after March 12, with more than 500 cancellations expected as the storm progresses.
The impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa underscores the ongoing challenges faced by regions in the path of such extreme weather events, amidst broader discussions regarding disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience.
