Supertyphoon approaches the Philippines. Asia braces for the worst

The first supertyphoon of this season is currently moving over the northern part of the Philippine archipelago. The government meteorological agency PAGASA is warning of exceptionally strong winds, torrential rains, and storm surges. Concerns are also rising in Hong Kong, China, and Vietnam, where the storm is expected to arrive in the coming days.

Supertyphoon Ragasa strikes

The storm, which formed last Wednesday north of Palau, has rapidly intensified and has been declared the first supertyphoon of 2025. In the Philippines, it was named Nando, but within the international community the disaster has been given the name Ragasa.

Experts from PAGASA issued a bulletin today at 2:00 p.m. local time for the northern part of Luzon Island, warning of life-threatening conditions. The typhoon’s track is dangerously close to Babuyan Island, located just 90 km north of Luzon. Meteorologists forecast winds of up to 215 km/h with gusts reaching 295 km/h. The situation will be especially hazardous along the coast, as waves forecast at 12–14 meters in height may reach inland.

It will be dangerous

PAGASA warns of severe infrastructure damage, roof destruction, power outages, and suspension of public transportation. Experts predict damage to most residential buildings and widespread devastation of trees in the region, including banana plantations. All travel and outdoor activities are strongly discouraged, and early evacuation to shelters is advised.

The greatest losses are expected in the Philippine provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, and Ilocos Norte, but the destructive effects of the storm may be felt across all of northern Luzon. Schools and public offices were closed today in 29 provinces. The Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government announced Monday afternoon that more than 10,000 citizens have already been evacuated from the highest-risk areas.

Threat to the entire region

Supertyphoon Ragasa will affect not only the Philippines. Meteorologists report that in recent hours the storm’s circulation has expanded significantly, with strong winds now occurring within a 650 km radius from the cyclone’s eye, which is moving at about 25 km/h. Pressure at the storm’s center has dropped to 910 hPa.

Tomorrow morning the cyclone’s eye is expected to leave Philippine territory and move further east toward continental Asia. In Taiwan, about 400 km north of Babuyan Island, preventive evacuations have already been ordered today. The typhoon is expected to hit there on Tuesday.

Airlines Tigerair Taiwan and China Airlines have canceled dozens of international flights. Hong Kong airport, where the supertyphoon is expected to arrive on Wednesday, will be completely closed for 36 hours starting Tuesday evening. The local government has already put all emergency services on standby and canceled classes in schools for the next two days. Storm drainage systems are being cleaned in 240 locations.

Supertyphoon Ragasa is also expected to strike Guangdong, China’s most populous province. Authorities in the metropolis of Shenzhen plan to evacuate 400,000 residents from low-lying areas and suspend railway operations. Heavy rains may last until Friday, extending into the provinces of Guangxi, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Yunnan, and the island of Hainan.

Further along the path of the supertyphoon lies Vietnam, where a direct hit is expected Thursday in coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh. Here, too, the government is preparing for the worst-case scenario, anticipating major transport restrictions and a ban on going to sea.

Travel to Southeast Asia this week is strongly discouraged and extremely dangerous.