Super Typhoon Ragasa Roars Through Southeast Asia, Leaving Widespread Destruction
What began as a storm over the Pacific quickly intensified into one of 2025’s most destructive tropical cyclones. Super Typhoon Ragasa ravaged parts of the Philippines before lashing Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China — leaving cities paralyzed, millions displaced, and heavy damage in its wake.
Philippines: Rain, Landslides, and Widespread Disruption
Ragasa made landfall over parts of northern Luzon, particularly on Calayan Island in the province of Cagayan, bringing sustained winds reported around 215 kph with gusts up to 295 kph.
The storm triggered severe flooding and massive landslides across mountainous and lowland areas alike.
At least three people died in the Philippines, dozens were injured, and thousands were forced to evacuate.
More than 17,500 residents sought refuge in emergency shelters.
Electricity failed across many northern provinces; infrastructure was heavily damaged, and public services shut down.
Government offices, schools, and transportation were suspended or delayed.
Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong: After the Storm’s Path
After sweeping through the Philippines, Ragasa tracked westward, impacting Taiwan and then southern China.
In Taiwan’s Hualien County, flooding and a barrier lake overflow caused significant damage.
At least 1Al Jazeera4 fatalities in Taiwan were reported in connection with Ragasa’s effects.
In China, authorities evacuated more than two million people in Guangdong province and surrounding urban areas.
Wind gusts reaching ~150 mph (≈ 241 kph) damaged property, tore roofs, uprooted trees, and caused widespread flooding.
In Hong Kong, waves battered promenades and high winds shattered windows on high-rise buildings.
Across the region, authorities shut down schools, grounded flights, suspended business operations, and mobilized emergency services.
A Storm of Record Strength — and With Unanswered Questions
In many reports, Ragasa is being described as the strongest tropical cyclone of 2025, with extremely high wind speeds at its peak.
According to meteorological data, it had a central pressure of ~905 hPa and sustained winds which placed it among the most intense storms this season.
The storm’s breadth, intensity, and path exposed vulnerabilities in infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience across multiple countries.
🔹 Conclusion
Super Typhoon Ragasa has left a trail of destruction across the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China. The human toll — lives lost, homes destroyed, communities displaced — underscores the grave risks posed by increasingly powerful tropical storms. As recovery efforts begin, the storm also highlights urgent questions about how coastal and vulnerable regions must adapt to a changing climate.
If you like, I can also prepare a timeline, interactive map, or social-media–ready summary of Ragasa’s impacts.