On September 22, super typhoon Ragasa made landfall on Panuitan and Calayan islands in Babuyan Islands, Cagayan province, Philippines, bringing maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h and gusts of up to 295 km/h.
The Philippine Meteorological Agency warns of the risk of flash floods and landslides in many areas of Northern Luzon. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has directed the entire disaster response system to a state of emergency, suspending work and study in Metro Manila and many areas in Luzon. A series of domestic flights were canceled and ferry services were suspended.
Video footage from the authorities shows strong winds and heavy rain causing trees to fall and powerful waves in Cagayan province. In areas such as Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Batanes, Cagayan or Apayao, people are advised to stay away from coast and rivers and streams. The typhoon also intensified the southwest monsoon, causing heavy rain in Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Ragasa's impact is not limited to the Philippines. Taiwan (China) also issued warnings on land and sea, canceling 146 domestic flights, evacuating more than 900 residents of mountainous areas. In Vietnam, the Ministry of National Defense has issued a close monitoring order to be ready to respond in case the storm makes landfall. China has implemented flood control measures in its southern provinces, while warning of heavy rain.
Hong Kong (China) has also reduced the scale of operations at the airport, with Cathay Pacific announcing the cancellation of about 500 flights. Yeung Tat-wing, Hong Kong Airport Services CEO, said most flights would be affected. Local people rush to buy goods to store, causing many essential items to be scarce, causing vegetable prices to increase three times. In Macau (China) and Zhuhai (China), schools have closed, evacuation plans have been implemented.
The Philippine Meteorological Agency stressed that heavy to very heavy rain will continue in Northern Luzon, and warned that heavy rain will continue in many other areas in the next 48 hours. With strong winds and wide area of influence, Ragasa becomes a big challenge for many countries and territories in the region.
