Typhoon Ragasa Hits the Philippines

Super typhoon Ragasa, the most potent storm of 2025, has made a catastrophic landfall in the Philippines, triggering mass evacuations and wreaking havoc on infrastructure. The typhoon, boasting wind gusts of up to 285 km/h, initially struck Panuitan Island in the northern Cagayan province before slightly attenuating in intensity.

Despite this marginal weakening, meteorological authorities warn of an imminent 'high risk of life-threatening storm surge', with anticipated peak heights surpassing 3 meters. The Philippine weather bureau has issued dire predictions of widespread flooding, landslides, and extensive damage to both residential areas and critical infrastructure. As a precautionary measure, educational institutions and government offices across vast swathes of the country, including the capital Manila, have been shuttered.

The typhoon's projected trajectory now threatens Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China, prompting these regions to brace for torrential rainfall and gale-force winds. Chinese authorities in Guangdong province have issued stark warnings to residents, advising them to prepare for a potential 'catastrophic' and 'large-scale disaster'. In an unprecedented move, plans are underway to evacuate a staggering 400,000 people from Shenzhen alone.

This meteorological crisis comes at a particularly inopportune moment for the Philippines, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of weeks of severe flooding caused by an unusually intense monsoon season. The situation has been further exacerbated by recent civil unrest, with tens of thousands of citizens taking to the streets to protest against alleged government corruption, which has been blamed for the country's inadequate flood control infrastructure.