Thousands have been evacuated in the Philippines as the nation braces for a super typhoon described by regional authorities as potentially 'catastrophic'. Super typhoon Ragasa, with wind gusts reaching 230 km/h (143 mph), is forecast to make landfall over the sparsely populated northern islands on Monday, before barreling west towards southern China. The Philippine weather bureau warns of a 'high risk of life-threatening storm surge,' with peak heights exceeding 3 meters (10 feet).
Schools and government offices in large parts of the country, including the capital Manila, have been closed, and authorities have cautioned against widespread flooding, landslides, and damage to homes and infrastructure.
The remote Batanes and Babuyan islands, forecasted to bear the brunt of Ragasa, are home to about 20,000 people, many living in poverty. These islands lie approximately 740 km (460 miles) from Taiwan, where nearly 300 residents have been evacuated from Hualien County in anticipation of severe weather. While Ragasa is not expected to hit Taiwan directly, it is projected to drench the eastern coast with heavy rains, leading to the closure of forest areas and nature trails.
Authorities in China's Guangdong province have been warning residents to prepare for 'catastrophic' and 'large-scale disaster,' with heavy winds and rainfall expected as early as Tuesday. In Hong Kong, weather conditions are set to deteriorate rapidly on Tuesday, with the education bureau considering school arrangements. Ragasa, or Nando as it's known locally, arrives as the Philippines grapples with weeks of extensive flooding caused by a fierce monsoon season.
Tens of thousands protested on Sunday against government corruption that has severely hampered flood control efforts.
Schools and government offices in large parts of the country, including the capital Manila, have been closed, and authorities have cautioned against widespread flooding, landslides, and damage to homes and infrastructure.
The remote Batanes and Babuyan islands, forecasted to bear the brunt of Ragasa, are home to about 20,000 people, many living in poverty. These islands lie approximately 740 km (460 miles) from Taiwan, where nearly 300 residents have been evacuated from Hualien County in anticipation of severe weather. While Ragasa is not expected to hit Taiwan directly, it is projected to drench the eastern coast with heavy rains, leading to the closure of forest areas and nature trails.
Authorities in China's Guangdong province have been warning residents to prepare for 'catastrophic' and 'large-scale disaster,' with heavy winds and rainfall expected as early as Tuesday. In Hong Kong, weather conditions are set to deteriorate rapidly on Tuesday, with the education bureau considering school arrangements. Ragasa, or Nando as it's known locally, arrives as the Philippines grapples with weeks of extensive flooding caused by a fierce monsoon season.
Tens of thousands protested on Sunday against government corruption that has severely hampered flood control efforts.
