Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr placed the country’s disaster response agency on full alert Sunday, ordering all government units to mobilize as Super Typhoon Ragasa tore into the north of the country and triggered storm warnings across East and Southeast Asia.
Ragasa, packing sustained winds of 215 kph (134 mph) and gusts up to 295 kph (183 mph), made landfall on Calayan Island in Cagayan province. The state weather bureau warned of storm surges topping three metres (nine feet) and urged residents in the Babuyan islands to stay away from coasts and riverbanks.
Footage from disaster officials showed northern Cagayan battered by violent winds and sheets of rain, whipping up dangerous waves and toppling trees. Authorities suspended work and classes across Metro Manila and much of Luzon as outer rainbands swept through, warning of blackouts, floods, landslides, and treacherous seas.
Two dozen domestic flights have been cancelled and ferry services suspended at Luzon’s main ports.
Beyond the Philippines, Ragasa’s vast circulation is disrupting regional travel and prompting preemptive measures. Taiwan, though outside the storm’s direct path, issued land and sea warnings, evacuated 900 residents from mountainous areas, and cancelled 146 domestic flights. Vietnam’s defence ministry ordered forces to prepare for a possible strike later this week, while China activated flood-control measures in several southern provinces ahead of heavy rains expected Tuesday night.
Hong Kong Airport Authority said flight operations would be sharply reduced after 6 p.m. Tuesday, with major disruption expected Wednesday. Flag carrier Cathay Pacific announced about 500 flight cancellations.
Source: Reuters
Ragasa, packing sustained winds of 215 kph (134 mph) and gusts up to 295 kph (183 mph), made landfall on Calayan Island in Cagayan province. The state weather bureau warned of storm surges topping three metres (nine feet) and urged residents in the Babuyan islands to stay away from coasts and riverbanks.
Footage from disaster officials showed northern Cagayan battered by violent winds and sheets of rain, whipping up dangerous waves and toppling trees. Authorities suspended work and classes across Metro Manila and much of Luzon as outer rainbands swept through, warning of blackouts, floods, landslides, and treacherous seas.
Two dozen domestic flights have been cancelled and ferry services suspended at Luzon’s main ports.
Beyond the Philippines, Ragasa’s vast circulation is disrupting regional travel and prompting preemptive measures. Taiwan, though outside the storm’s direct path, issued land and sea warnings, evacuated 900 residents from mountainous areas, and cancelled 146 domestic flights. Vietnam’s defence ministry ordered forces to prepare for a possible strike later this week, while China activated flood-control measures in several southern provinces ahead of heavy rains expected Tuesday night.
Hong Kong Airport Authority said flight operations would be sharply reduced after 6 p.m. Tuesday, with major disruption expected Wednesday. Flag carrier Cathay Pacific announced about 500 flight cancellations.
Source: Reuters