Super Typhoon Ragasa has made landfall in southern China after leaving a trail of devastation across Taiwan and the Philippines, with nearly two million people evacuated from Guangdong province.
The storm, dubbed the “King of Storms”, has been described as the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone this year. It made landfall on Hailing Island in Yangjiang city at about 5pm local time on Tuesday, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
In Hong Kong, dramatic scenes unfolded as a huge surge of water smashed through the glass doors of the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel in Aberdeen, flooding its reception area. Video footage shared online showed people screaming and clinging to furniture as the floodwaters tore through the lobby. Other clips captured waves taller than lampposts, scaffolding collapsing, and cranes swaying in high winds.
Authorities reported at least 60 injuries in Hong Kong, where hundreds of trees were uprooted, bridges and waterfronts were damaged, and restaurants and shops were left in disarray. Power cuts and evacuations were reported in nearby Macao, where temporary shelters were opened.
Taiwan has reported at least 17 deaths and 124 people missing after Ragasa triggered the collapse of a barrier lake in Hualien County, sending floodwaters into residential areas. Entire townships were inundated, forcing rescue teams to wade through deep waters in search of survivors.
In the Philippines, 10 people were confirmed dead after landslides and flooding caused widespread destruction across northern Luzon island. Thousands of families were displaced and schools and government offices were closed.
Across southern China, schools, factories, and transport services were suspended in at least a dozen cities as Ragasa approached. Around 1.9 million people were relocated in Guangdong province alone.
Rescue crews in China deployed inflatable boats to save residents trapped by flooding, while electricity suppliers shut down power in low-lying areas for safety.
Meteorologists said Ragasa had maximum sustained winds of around 120mph near its centre as it approached China, skirting within 62 miles of Hong Kong. Authorities warned the storm surge could rival Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, which caused an estimated £440m in damage in Hong Kong.
The typhoon is expected to continue moving west-northwest at about 14mph, threatening further destruction as it tracks inland.