Super Typhoon Ragasa has now been downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves westward from southern China toward Vietnam, following days of fierce battering across Hong Kong, Guangdong province, and Taiwan. While its destructive winds have lessened, the storm still poses serious flood and landslide risks to regions in its path.
Damage So Far: China & Hong Kong Begin Clean-up
- In Guangdong province, more than 2 million people were evacuated ahead of the storm.
- The city of Yangjiang saw over 10,000 trees damaged, roads flooded, and residents rescued from submerged neighborhoods using inflatable boats.
- Power outages affected nearly half a million households, and many remained without electricity even after the storm’s passage.
- In Hong Kong, at least 100 people were injured, some buildings were flooded (including hotel lobbies), and more than 1,200 trees were downed.
- Flights were suspended or delayed; the city’s airport returned to operation, but signal warnings and school closures persisted.
Human Cost: Philippines & Taiwan
- In Taiwan, the death toll was lowered to 14, down from earlier reports. Many fatalities resulted from a failed barrier lake in Hualien County that overflowed.
- 33 people who had been listed as missing are now considered lost after floodwaters cut off communication and washed out bridges.
- In the Philippines, at least 11 people died, mostly fishermen caught in treacherous seas.
Ragasa’s Current Status & Outlook
Having made landfall in Yangjiang, Guangdong, Ragasa has weakened substantially. It later made a third landfall in Beihai, Guangxi, before tracking west toward Vietnam.
As of Thursday, its sustained winds had dropped to 65 km/h (40 mph). The storm is still expected to deliver heavy rainfall and flooding to northern Vietnam and nearby Southeast Asian regions.
What Vietnam Is Doing
Vietnamese authorities are taking the threat seriously:
- Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has directed ministries and local governments to brace infrastructure (dams, hospitals), secure fishing vessels, and prepare search and rescue capabilities.
- Some flights have been canceled or delayed in northern regions.
- Officials are also trimming trees and reinforcing structures ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Risks Still Ahead
- Flooding & Landslides: With heavy rains expected, mountainous and riverine areas in Vietnam are vulnerable to sudden floods and mudslides.
- Infrastructure Damage: Roads, bridges, and drainage systems may be overwhelmed, especially in remote regions.
- Power & Communication Disruptions: Even as winds ease, utility networks remain at risk from saturated ground and trapped debris.
- Humanitarian Strain: Evacuations, sheltering, and emergency response capacity will be tested, especially after recent traumatic impacts in nearby regions.
This storm’s trajectory and impacts make it a prime example of how tropical cyclones, even in weakened form, can carry threats far inland and across borders. As Ragasa steers toward Vietnam, how quickly and effectively authorities respond could determine how severe its lasting effects will be.
