MANILA – Super Typhoon Ragasa, known internationally as Bualoi, has carved a path of destruction across the northern Philippines, unleashing torrential rains and ferocious winds that have triggered widespread flooding and deadly landslides. The powerful storm has left at least four people dead and forced the evacuation of over 400,000 residents as it now barrels towards Taiwan and Hong Kong, placing the entire region on high alert.
The typhoon made landfall on the northeastern coast of Luzon, the country's main island, on Thursday evening as a Category 4 storm, with sustained winds exceeding 230 kilometers per hour (145 mph). The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had issued its highest-level warnings, anticipating a "life-threatening" event.
Devastation in the Philippines
The immediate impact was devastating. Coastal and low-lying communities were inundated by storm surges, while relentless downpours turned rivers into raging torrents and saturated hillsides, leading to multiple landslides.
Officials from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed that two of the fatalities occurred in a landslide that buried a rural home in Cagayan province. Two other individuals were swept away by flash floods in the neighboring province of Isabela. Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing, with authorities fearing the death toll could rise as they reach more isolated areas that have been cut off by destroyed roads and bridges.
The government's pre-emptive evacuation measures are being credited with preventing a much higher loss of life. Over 400,000 people were moved from high-risk areas to temporary shelters in schools, gymnasiums, and government buildings in the days leading up to the storm's arrival.
"The force of the wind was terrifying, and the rain never stopped," said one evacuee in Tuguegarao City. "We have lost our home and our crops, but we are thankful to be alive."
Power outages have affected millions, and communication lines are down in many of the hardest-hit provinces. The agricultural sector has also suffered immense damage, with rice and corn fields—nearing harvest time completely submerged.
Region Braces for Impact
Having weakened slightly after crossing the mountainous terrain of Luzon, Super Typhoon Ragasa has re-emerged over the South China Sea and is tracking northwest. It remains a powerful and dangerous system, prompting urgent preparations in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration has issued sea and land warnings for its southern and eastern regions. Authorities are preparing for heavy rainfall, which could trigger flash floods and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas. Airlines have already begun cancelling flights to and from the island, and residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to secure their homes and prepare for potential evacuation orders.
In Hong Kong, the Observatory is closely monitoring the typhoon's track. While a direct hit is not currently the most likely scenario, the city is bracing for strong winds and heavy rain over the weekend. The government has activated its emergency response plan, and public alerts are being issued, advising citizens to stay away from the coastline and avoid outdoor activities.
Super Typhoon Ragasa is the latest and one of the most powerful storms to hit the Western Pacific this year, a region that regularly experiences some of the most intense tropical cyclones on the planet.
