Typhoon Ragasa Brings Destruction to Southern China, Kills 17 in Taiwan

Typhoon Ragasa, the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone of the year, has made landfall along the southern coast of China after claiming the lives of 17 people in Taiwan. The storm, which hit Taiwan’s Hualien County on Tuesday, caused a barrier lake to overflow, flooding a town and sweeping away several victims.

In Hong Kong, Ragasa brought the city to a standstill, with ferocious winds and heavy rains causing major disruptions. “The weather experienced in Hong Kong this summer is only a taste of what is to come,” warned Benjamin Horton, Dean of the School of Energy and Environment at the City University of Hong Kong, predicting more powerful typhoons due to climate change.

The storm is now tracking toward Guangdong province, home to the Pearl River Delta and millions of residents. “The Pearl River Delta is one of the best-prepared regions for typhoons,” said Chim Lee, Senior Energy and Climate Change Specialist at the Economist Intelligence Unit, adding that despite the storm’s power, major disruptions were not expected. However, the typhoon’s intensity still caused significant flooding in parts of Guangdong, where millions have been evacuated.

In Shenzhen, residents faced intense winds, with some even braving the elements. “We live on an upper floor and saw there wasn’t too much danger, so I brought the kids out to experience this heavy rain and wind,” said Liang, a Shenzhen resident. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s hospitals reported at least 90 injuries, and temporary shelters were opened for the displaced.