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Super Typhoon Ragasa Strikes Hong Kong, Triggers Widespread Disruptions

 

On Wednesday, September 24, Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful tropical cyclone of the year, hit Hong Kong with hurricane-force winds and torrential rain. The impact prompted a full citywide shutdown and led to the cancellation of over 700 flights.

Authorities raised Typhoon Signal No. 10, Hong Kong’s highest storm alert, advising residents to stay indoors. An Amber rainstorm signal was also issued, with flooding reported in several districts.

Ragasa is expected to maintain its super typhoon intensity as it approaches China’s Guangdong province, with landfall anticipated between midday and late Wednesday. The storm previously passed through northern Philippines on Monday and Taiwan on Tuesday.

Officials have warned of severe coastal flooding, potentially comparable to the damage caused by Typhoon Hato in 2017 and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, both of which resulted in billions of dollars in losses.

Air travel disruptions include:

  •  Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines have cancelled a large volume of flights between September 23 and 25.
  • International carriers such as Emirates, Lufthansa, Air France, and Finnair have suspended services.
  • Shenzhen International Airport suspended all flights from 8 pm on September 23 through to the morning of September 25, with resuming uplift subject to weather conditions.

Ocean carrier vessel schedules are expected to be negatively impacted yet again as arrivals and departures are timed to avoid storm surges and ocean swells.

Guangdong province remains under a Level 1 emergency alert—the highest level in China’s four-tier warning system—as it prepares for Ragasa’s arrival.

The full impact of cargo delays will only be known in coming days as backlogs are calculated and reported by carriers.

 

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