By TV84.pk News Desk | September 23, 2025
SHENZHEN – Super Typhoon Ragasa, packing ferocious winds and torrential rains, is barreling toward southern China, prompting mass evacuations in Shenzhen while leaving a trail of destruction in the northern Philippines. Authorities in the Chinese megacity are preparing to evacuate up to 400,000 residents as the storm approaches on a direct collision course.
Landfall and Fury in the Philippines
The typhoon slammed into Calayan Island in the sparsely populated Babuyan chain at 3:00 pm local time (0700 GMT), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). By 8:00 pm (1200 GMT), Ragasa was unleashing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (134 mph) near its center, with gusts surging to 265 kph.
In Aparri, a coastal town in northern Cagayan province, resident Tirso Tugagao described the ordeal: “I woke up because of the strong wind. It was hitting the windows, and it sounded like a machine that was switched on.” On Calayan Island, at the eye of the storm, information officer Herbert Singun reported severe damage, including chunks of a school roof torn off and hurled 30 meters onto an evacuation center, resulting in one minor injury.
“Can you see those coconut trees swaying in the distance?” Singun asked during a video chat with AFP. “There were eight of them before. Now only four are still standing. That goes to show how strong this typhoon is.”
Over 10,000 Filipinos were evacuated nationwide, with schools and government offices shuttered in the Manila region and 29 other provinces. The storm’s path through the Philippines has already caused widespread disruption, with gale-force winds forcing residents into shelters.
Imminent Threat to Southern China
As Ragasa churns northwest, Shenzhen—a bustling tech hub in Guangdong province—is bracing for impact. Evacuation orders are in place for coastal areas, with meteorologists warning of storm surges, heavy flooding, and destructive winds. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in southern China late Monday or early Tuesday, potentially weakening but still posing a super typhoon-level threat.
Chinese authorities have issued red alerts, urging residents to secure properties and avoid travel. The storm’s arrival could exacerbate ongoing flood risks in the region, following heavy monsoon rains earlier in the season.
Regional Response and Warnings
PAGASA and Chinese weather services are coordinating with international agencies to track the typhoon’s trajectory. Experts predict Ragasa could dissipate after crossing into China but warn of secondary hazards like landslides and power outages. “This is one of the strongest storms of the year,” a PAGASA forecaster noted, emphasizing the need for heightened preparedness.
As the situation unfolds, communities on both sides of the Luzon Strait remain on high alert. Stay tuned to TV84.pk for live updates on Super Typhoon Ragasa and its impacts.
