China Evacuates Nearly 2 Million as Super Typhoon Ragasa Threatens South Coast

Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful storm of 2025, has prompted the evacuation of nearly two million residents in southern China's Guangdong province, including major cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou, as it approaches landfall with winds exceeding 240 kph. The typhoon has already caused significant damage and fatalities in Taiwan and the Philippines, where flooding from a breached natural dam in Taiwan has resulted in at least 14 deaths and over 100 missing persons. Authorities in Guangdong have implemented the highest wind emergency response, suspended transportation services including flights and public transit, and deployed tens of thousands of rescue personnel and resources to manage the crisis. Hong Kong and Macau have also canceled schools and flights, with rescue operations underway to assist those trapped by flooding and fallen debris. The storm has disrupted daily life, including shortages of food and supplies in Shenzhen as residents prepare for the typhoon's impact. The event highlights the increasing unpredictability and severity of typhoons in the region, exacerbated by climate change.