Typhoon Ragasa Hits China After Tragic Flooding in Taiwan

Sat Oct 11 2025 08:45:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Severe Typhoon Ragasa made landfall in southern China following catastrophic flooding in Taiwan that claimed at least 17 lives. The storm, known as the world's strongest this year, caused widespread evacuations and damage.

Typhoon Ragasa has made landfall in Guangdong province, China, after resulting in significant casualties in Taiwan from flooding caused by a burst lake. With nearly two million evacuated in preparation, Ragasa is described as a highly destructive typhoon with winds reaching up to 241 km/h. The storm follows the death of at least 17 people in Taiwan, where officials are calling for an inquiry into the emergency response. The storm is expected to bring torrential rain and pose ongoing risks of landslides.

Typhoon Ragasa has made landfall in southern China, where nearly two million people have been evacuated in preparation for its arrival.

It comes after authorities said at least 17 people had been killed and more missing in Taiwan after a lake burst on Tuesday, causing severe flooding in the island's east.

Ragasa was downgraded from a super to a severe typhoon but it remains highly destructive, with top winds of 241 km/h recorded in Taishan county in China's south-eastern Guangdong province.

The equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, Ragasa is the world's strongest storm this year and has been roaring over the South China Sea for days.

Ahead of making landfall, 90 people were injured in Hong Kong as the storm skirted its coastline, the hospital authority reported.

The typhoon made landfall on the coast of Hailing Island, Yanjiang City in Guangdong at about 17:00 local time (9:00 GMT). As the storm crossed the mainland, it maintained sustained winds of 144 km/h, with higher gusts expected to weaken as it moves further west.

Southern cities like Zhuhai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou in Guangdong are braced for seawater intrusion as the storm moves inland. Authorities have issued red alerts for landslides in the mountainous regions of Guangdong province.

In Taiwan, as the destruction from Ragasa unfolds, officials describe the damage as far worse than anticipated. Premier Cho Jung-Tai has called for inquiries into the evacuation procedures, questioning why alarms were not adequately communicated.

Water surged violently during the flooding, exhibiting destructive strength that reportedly released an estimated 15.4 million tonnes of water. The impacts have rendered critical infrastructure unusable, trapping many residents in their homes and complicating search and rescue operations.

As the government mobilizes resources to respond to this crisis, it's clear that both Taiwan and China will be facing long-term recovery challenges following this disaster.