Super Typhoon Ragasa Causes Widespread Devastation Across Taiwan and Hong Kong!
Reported by David Joshua | Sele Media Africa
Taipei / Hualien, Taiwan – Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms of 2025, has left a trail of destruction across East Asia. In Taiwan, at least 14 people are confirmed dead after torrential rains caused a barrier lake to burst its banks in Hualien County, unleashing a sudden wall of water and flooding entire neighborhoods. The bursting lake, which had been formed by landslides earlier in the season, released millions of cubic meters of water downstream, sweeping homes, infrastructure, and lives along its path.
Local officials in Hualien have reported dozens of injuries and several more missing persons as search-and-rescue teams continue their operations. Premier Cho Jung-tai has called for an inquiry into the evacuation and warning systems, particularly in remote areas where warnings may not have been sufficiently timely.
Hong Kong Battered by Furious Winds and Floods
As Ragasa swept closer to the South China Sea, Hong Kong braced for impact. The city’s Observatory issued the Typhoon Signal No. 10 — the highest possible — early Wednesday morning, shutting down most public and private activity.
Coastal districts were hit by heavy storm surges and powerful waves. In one dramatic video, ocean water burst through the glass doors of a luxury hotel lobby, flooding its interior and scattering furniture. Trees snapped, pedestrian bridges lost their roofs, and many streets in low-lying areas became impassable. At least 90 people were treated for injuries across the city.
By midday, authorities began downgrading the typhoon signal — from No. 10 down to No. 8, and later to No. 3 — as the storm’s eye moved away from the city. Even so, the city remains on alert for residual flooding risks and structural damage.
Southern China Prepares for Further Impact
Ragasa made landfall in southern China’s Guangdong province, around Yangjiang and Hailing Island, carrying sustained winds of 144 km/h and gusts reaching 241 km/h. Nearly 1.9 million residents were evacuated from flood-prone areas across the region. Schools, factories, and transportation services were suspended in many cities to mitigate further harm. Relief agencies are on high alert, distributing emergency supplies and mobilizing disaster response units.
Regional Death Toll and Aftermath
While initial reports focused on 14 deaths in Taiwan, later updates suggested the figure may rise. Some sources now put the Taiwan death toll at 17, with dozens injured and additional missing persons. The Philippines, which also bore the initial brunt of Ragasa, reported further casualties mostly from capsized vessels and flooding in its northern provinces.
In total, Ragasa is being described as the strongest tropical cyclone of 2025, with its destructive path cutting across the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and southern China.
Challenges & Key Issues Going Forward
Early warning & evacuation gaps: In Taiwan’s remote eastern counties, residents say they lacked timely alerts before the lake breach.
Infrastructure vulnerability: Aging dams, bridges, and barrier lakes created catastrophic failure points under extreme stress.
Humanitarian needs: Thousands are displaced, requiring food, clean water, medical aid, and shelter across multiple affected regions.
Recovery & rebuilding: Restoring power, communications, transport links and supporting reconstruction will test resources across jurisdictions.
Looking Ahead
As Ragasa moves inland, rainfall and flooding threats will continue downstream, especially in low-lying regions of Guangdong, Guangxi, and adjacent provinces. Authorities warn of secondary flash floods, landslides, and storm surges along coasts. Recovery efforts and damage assessment will intensify over the coming days as rescue operations seek to reach remote zones and support affected populations
Sele Media Africa will continue to monitor new updates, casualty figures, and regional responses.
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