Hong Kong shuts down ahead of world’s biggest typhoon this year

Hong Kong has shut down in preparation for Super Typhoon Ragasa, the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone this year. Authorities have urged people to stay at home, while most passenger flights are set to be suspended until Thursday.

Packing hurricane-force winds of up to 220 km/h (137 mph), Ragasa is set to pose a severe threat to Guangdong province in China. The storm is expected to maintain its intensity as it nears the coast and affects Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan. It recently passed through the northern Philippines and is expected to make landfall along Guangdong’s coast by Wednesday.

In Hong Kong, authorities issued a Typhoon Signal 8, which requires most businesses and transport services to shut down. The city anticipates heavy rain, storm surges, and a rapid deterioration of weather conditions. The Hong Kong Observatory has warned of rising sea levels and significant flooding risks, recalling the devastating effects of Typhoons Hato in 2017 and Mangkhut in 2018.

Guangdong has already evacuated over 770,000 people, with more evacuations expected as the typhoon nears. In Hong Kong, authorities have distributed sandbags to residents in low-lying areas, and many businesses are preparing for disruptions. The storm is expected to cause severe flooding and storm surges, with water levels along coastal areas potentially rising up to 5 meters (16 feet).

Authorities in nearby regions such as Macau and Taiwan are also bracing for the typhoon’s impact. While Hong Kong’s stock exchange will remain open, the gambling hubs of Macau and Shenzhen have suspended work and transport services in anticipation of the storm’s arrival.