https://www.scmp.com/rss/523540/feed The latest news, top stories and real-time updates on Super Typhoon Ragasa, a major 2025 storm impacting parts of Asia. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong will experience between four and seven typhoons from June to October, according to the city’s weather forecaster, fewer than half of last year’s record-breaking 14 tropical cyclones. The Observatory also said on Monday the city would be hotter than average this year under the influence of the warming El Nino weather phenomenon. The tropical cyclone season in Hong Kong is expected to start in June or later and end in October or before, according to Observatory director Chan... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3347619/hong-kong-projected-face-4-7-typhoons-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3347619/hong-kong-projected-face-4-7-typhoons-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:16:04 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li A Hong Kong court has given a couple eight weeks to consider their plea over charges of allegedly neglecting their five-year-old son, who was swept into the sea at a waterfront area during Super Typhoon Ragasa last year. Police revealed on Monday that the boy’s 40-year-old father, surnamed Yen, and 38-year-old mother, surnamed Li, were arrested in Chai Wan on January 6 and charged last Wednesday with ill-treatment or neglect by those in charge of a child or young person. A charge sheet filed at... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3346714/couple-face-child-neglect-charges-after-son-swept-sea-during-typhoon-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3346714/couple-face-child-neglect-charges-after-son-swept-sea-during-typhoon-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:35:42 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The tarpaulin barely held against the wind, sagging under days of ceaseless rain. For the earthquake survivors of San Remigio, in the central Philippines, it was all that remained – a thin sheet of plastic above a patch of mud, standing in for the homes a 6.9-magnitude quake had reduced to rubble weeks earlier. Then, in early November, Typhoon Kalmaegi barrelled through. The storm, known locally as Tino, drenched thousands of families still huddled in their makeshift shelters. Roads vanished... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3335387/why-philippines-cant-escape-its-endless-cycle-disaster?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3335387/why-philippines-cant-escape-its-endless-cycle-disaster?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:15 +0000 Sasha Gonzales Sasha Gonzales Hongkongers have experienced extreme weather recently. Super Typhoon Ragasa in late September was the second No 10 typhoon warning of the year, and the strongest tropical cyclone globally of the year at the time of its approach. A black rainstorm on August 5 lasted more than 11 hours and triggered torrential floods. This October was the hottest since records began in 1884. These events are being felt around the planet. The World Meteorological Organization reported 151 “unprecedented” extreme... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3332641/how-climate-change-and-extreme-weather-affect-mental-health-and-what-we-can-do?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3332641/how-climate-change-and-extreme-weather-affect-mental-health-and-what-we-can-do?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Nov 2025 09:15:09 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin A fifth of cubicles previously used as Covid-19 community isolation and treatment facilities in Hong Kong were damaged by two typhoons earlier this year and a “minor portion” will be demolished, authorities have confirmed. The Development Bureau revealed the latest status of the 4,500 modules on Tuesday, a week after the Post found that dozens had damaged walls and collapsed roofs at the Tseung Kwan O fill bank, which stores construction waste. “[Following] the recent two strong typhoons that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3331644/typhoons-damage-20-hong-kong-covid-isolation-cubicles-reuse-plans-under-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3331644/typhoons-damage-20-hong-kong-covid-isolation-cubicles-reuse-plans-under-way?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:30:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines has risen to 40, officials said on Tuesday, as the powerful storm unleashed heavy rains and floods across the central region, submerging homes and forcing thousands to evacuate. Although Kalmaegi, locally named Tino, has weakened since making landfall early on Tuesday, it continued to lash the country with winds of 130km/h (81mph) and gusts of 180km/h (112mph) as it swept across the Visayas islands headed for northern Palawan and towards... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3331389/tens-thousands-shelter-typhoon-kalmaegi-slams-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3331389/tens-thousands-shelter-typhoon-kalmaegi-slams-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:49:55 +0000 Lisa Lim Lisa Lim What do the Capricorn constellation, a butterfly, a type of grass, a blue lake, a swordfish, a raccoon dog, and a dessert of rice balls and coconut milk have in common? If you are from the northwest Pacific, you may recognise them as giving names to the significant typhoons of Yagi, Wutip, Co-May, Kajiki, Nongfa, Neoguri and Bualoi – from Japanese, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Lao, Korean and Thai, respectively – that all occurred in the past 12 months. Some names may seem apt. The recent... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3328528/ragasa-matmo-yagi-how-typhoon-gets-its-name-and-who-gets-name-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3328528/ragasa-matmo-yagi-how-typhoon-gets-its-name-and-who-gets-name-it?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:15:08 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Every year, World Mental Health Day urges us to reflect on how societies prioritise well-being. This year’s theme – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies – reminds us that crises, whether natural disasters, wars, pandemics or humanitarian emergencies, demand urgent... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3328296/mind-mental-health-impacts-climate-and-economic-upheavals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3328296/mind-mental-health-impacts-climate-and-economic-upheavals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Oct 2025 03:30:08 +0000 Martin Hui Martin Hui Super Typhoon Ragasa recently passed within about 120km of Hong Kong and led to the No 10 warning signal being raised. Thankfully, advance warning of the storm and comprehensive preparations in Hong Kong and mainland China, including the evacuation of nearly 2 million people in high-risk areas of Guangdong, averted catastrophe. Still, the impact was significant, with 101 injuries reported in Hong Kong and substantial property damage. Among the debris left in Ragasa’s wake is a debate over... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3328274/does-hong-kong-need-criminalise-storm-chasing-or-will-idea-blow-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3328274/does-hong-kong-need-criminalise-storm-chasing-or-will-idea-blow-over?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 01:30:19 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong's security chief has ruled out introducing fines for reckless people who need to be rescued during adverse weather, adding that drafting a new law against storm chasing would be challenging. Instead, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung on Saturday warned residents against taking the risk to chase storms, saying such action was like “committing suicide”. Tang made the remarks during a television interview as Typhoon Matmo headed closer to Guangdong province’s coast. Last week,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3327876/hong-kong-minister-rejects-imposing-storm-chasing-fines-warns-against-risks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3327876/hong-kong-minister-rejects-imposing-storm-chasing-fines-warns-against-risks?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 09:28:15 +0000 Victoria Bela Victoria Bela Climate change may have been responsible for more than a third of the direct damage to homes and property caused by the super typhoon that struck southern China last month, a study has concluded. A warming Earth also made Ragasa – the strongest storm recorded this year – more powerful when it made landfall in Guangdong province, according to researchers from Imperial College London. They added that as the planet continued to warm, tropical cyclones were expected to become increasingly... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3327646/climate-change-made-damage-super-typhoon-ragasa-significantly-worse-study-warns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3327646/climate-change-made-damage-super-typhoon-ragasa-significantly-worse-study-warns?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 01:00:15 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai Super Typhoon Ragasa may have been the biggest storm of its kind in the world this year, but when it made landfall in mainland China last month, it left no fatalities in its wake. Rewind to 2018 when Mangkhut, the last super typhoon to hit Guangdong province, struck and at least four people were killed in southern China. Typhoon Hato also left nine dead in Guangdong in 2017, and Typhoon Fanapi caused 34 deaths in the coastal province in 2010. The contrast is even sharper when compared with the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3327644/how-china-was-ready-super-typhoon-ragasa-and-what-still-needs-be-done?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3327644/how-china-was-ready-super-typhoon-ragasa-and-what-still-needs-be-done?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Oct 2025 09:00:29 +0000 SCMP SCMP Check out the captivating world of Harry Harrison, the SCMP’s award-winning political cartoonist, in these Harry’s View cartoons from September. If you would like to see more opinions on the big issues of the day, please consider subscribing. September saw Harry’s View cover a number of topics affecting Hong Kong and beyond, from the effects of Super Typhoon Ragasa to an apparent spike in pizza orders near the Pentagon. September 27, 2025 September 24, 2025 September 19, 2025 September 17,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3327441/super-typhoon-ragasa-us-fed-rate-cartoonist-harry-harrisons-humorous-takes-september?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3327441/super-typhoon-ragasa-us-fed-rate-cartoonist-harry-harrisons-humorous-takes-september?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:15:07 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong’s leader has tasked a government steering committee on handling extreme weather with improving infrastructure and facilities in storm-vulnerable areas after the city was brought to a standstill by Super Typhoon Ragasa last week. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the government had managed to minimise the damage caused by Ragasa and recover swiftly, allowing business activities to resume last Wednesday night and society to largely return to normal the next day. Lee... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327334/hong-kongs-extreme-weather-body-tasked-bolstering-typhoon-response-works?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327334/hong-kongs-extreme-weather-body-tasked-bolstering-typhoon-response-works?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:48:19 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang Three Chinese mainland companies made stellar trading debuts on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Tuesday, burnishing the city’s credentials as the world’s top fundraising market. All three companies’ shares opened higher, with watch designer and manufacturer Shenzhen Hipine Precision leading the surge, opening with a 184 per cent gain from its offer price of HK$29.60. It closed up 258 per cent at HK$106. Trading under the stock code 2259, gold miner Zijin Gold International’s shares opened at... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3327312/zijin-gold-makes-solid-hong-kong-trading-debut-shares-jump-56?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3327312/zijin-gold-makes-solid-hong-kong-trading-debut-shares-jump-56?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 02:31:09 +0000 Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yunus Bali turned into torrents of mud and debris recently as floods killed at least 18 and displaced hundreds. Cars and motorbikes were swept away and tourists evacuated from hotels. The disaster was fuelled by days of heavy rainfall that overwhelmed rivers already narrowed by upstream deforestation and rapid development. The resort island was, for several days, gripped by chaos. Almost simultaneously, typhoon Ragasa tore across the Philippines before curving towards China’s coast. Winds flattened... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3327049/asia-must-enlist-natures-defences-against-fury-extreme-weather?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3327049/asia-must-enlist-natures-defences-against-fury-extreme-weather?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:30:08 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu Last week, Hong Kong braved the strongest storm of the year in the world as Super Typhoon Ragasa ripped through the city as well as the Philippines, Taiwan, Macau and coastal mainland China, causing havoc. Compared with the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, Hong Kong did well this time. Mangkhut sank boats, damaged infrastructure, left roads strewn with debris, injured hundreds of people and caused economic losses estimated at HK$4.6 billion (US$591.3 million). Economist... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3326994/ragasas-wake-brings-pride-and-important-lessons-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3326994/ragasas-wake-brings-pride-and-important-lessons-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Lisa Lim Lisa Lim Ragasa – “a surge, a rush, a sudden quickening of motion” in Tagalog – is an apt name for the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone this year, which peaked as a super typhoon, and from which northern Philippines, Taiwan and southern China are just recovering. Typhoons, together with cyclones and hurricanes, are some of the most destructive weather phenomena. They originate over warm tropical waters and comprise intense rotating storm systems of clouds and thunderstorms, with diameters from... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3326982/where-does-word-typhoon-come-its-not-what-you-might-think?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3326982/where-does-word-typhoon-come-its-not-what-you-might-think?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:15:08 +0000 Cliff Buddle Cliff Buddle Hong Kong awaits typhoons with some trepidation, being well aware of the devastation they can wreak. But the storms also bring a sense of excitement, romance and wonder. They are part of the city’s collective memory. This fascination with the forces of nature led some foolhardy souls last week to recklessly venture too close to the coastline during Super Typhoon Ragasa. It left them at the mercy of the raging sea and placed their lives in danger. Some even took children with them. It was more... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3327109/not-playing-king-canute-during-typhoon-matter-common-sense?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3327109/not-playing-king-canute-during-typhoon-matter-common-sense?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Sep 2025 14:00:16 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong’s Observatory has warned of windy weather and swells for the rest of the weekend under the effects of a typhoon in the South China Sea, but stressed it will pose a limited threat to the city. The weather forecaster said on Saturday afternoon that Typhoon Bualoi – named after a kind... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327093/typhoon-bualoi-brings-windy-weather-and-swells-hong-kong-threat-limited?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327093/typhoon-bualoi-brings-windy-weather-and-swells-hong-kong-threat-limited?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Sep 2025 09:05:03 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong’s development minister has vowed to learn from the experience of Super Typhoon Ragasa and review coastal facilities, saying that flood mitigation measures will be introduced for high-risk areas such as Tseung Kwan O and Aberdeen. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho made the pledge on Saturday, three days after Ragasa inundated low-lying and coastal areas, with restaurants along a Tseung Kwan O promenade and the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel in Aberdeen among those hit by... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327090/hong-kong-learn-ragasa-boost-flood-mitigation-measures-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327090/hong-kong-learn-ragasa-boost-flood-mitigation-measures-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Sep 2025 08:28:11 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong should not impose a blanket ban on storm chasers, legal experts have said, while one lawmaker has suggested taking a leaf out of Macau’s book to designate high-risk zones as off limits for people and vehicles during a typhoon. Lawyers and lawmakers weighed in on Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung’s suggestion to introduce a law to curb storm chasing after dozens of residents ignored government warnings and gathered to watch the ferocious waves during Super Typhoon Ragasa on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3327067/blanket-ban-storm-chasing-hong-kong-unnecessary-lawyers-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3327067/blanket-ban-storm-chasing-hong-kong-unnecessary-lawyers-say?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Sep 2025 04:00:20 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan Hong Kong entertainment idol Nicholas Tse Ting-fung has notched up a new claim to fame as a lucky charm in the face of extreme weather. When Super Typhoon Ragasa approached Hong Kong and southern China, residents found a new way to protect themselves, attaching a picture of the star to their exposed windows. The reason? In Cantonese and Mandarin, Tse’s name sounds like a phrase meaning “thanks for stopping the wind”, Jimu News reported. As a result, as well as using adhesive tape to criss-cross... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3326953/why-hong-kong-idol-nicholas-tse-photos-used-typhoon-amulets-during-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3326953/why-hong-kong-idol-nicholas-tse-photos-used-typhoon-amulets-during-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 10:00:09 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong police have arrested two more people on suspicion of taking youngsters to watch the waves during Super Typhoon Ragasa, while a 54-year-old man has been prosecuted for allegedly swimming at a closed public beach when a No 10 signal was in effect. Friday’s arrests came hot on the heels of the apprehension of two women a day earlier for allegedly taking an eight-year-old boy to a waterfront on Ap Lei Chau when the highest signal was in force on Wednesday. Authorities earlier revealed they... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3327004/man-54-charged-over-swimming-closed-hong-kong-beach-during-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3327004/man-54-charged-over-swimming-closed-hong-kong-beach-during-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:39:29 +0000 Raymond Ma,Neil Denslow Raymond Ma,Neil Denslow US President Donald Trump formally endorsed a planned sale of TikTok’s local operations, preventing the video app’s closure in the country and easing an issue in the trade war with China. “I have determined that the proposed divestiture would allow the millions of Americans who enjoy TikTok every day to continue using it while also protecting national security,” Trump said in an executive order. ByteDance, the app’s owner, was given 120 days to complete a deal, the fifth time Trump has extended... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3326956/trumps-tiktok-sign-china-climate-target-zijin-gold-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3326956/trumps-tiktok-sign-china-climate-target-zijin-gold-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:00:08 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei Workers in Guangdong province in southern China were still trying to restore communication networks and transport to several islands on Friday after the area was battered by Super Typhoon Ragasa. Ragasa made landfall in Yangjiang, western Guangdong, about 5pm on Wednesday, bringing torrential rain and strong winds that caused flooding and transport disruptions across cities in the province. The storm’s record strength delivered sustained wind speeds of up to 265km/h (165 mph) on Monday, making... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3326964/super-typhoon-ragasa-workers-southern-china-move-restore-communications-islands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3326964/super-typhoon-ragasa-workers-southern-china-move-restore-communications-islands?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 07:46:11 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have called on residents not to swim at Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay beaches after a sewage pipe split in two during Super Typhoon Ragasa. The Drainage Services Department said on Thursday that it had immediately stopped using the 450mm-diameter sewage main at the Mills and Chung Path near Deep Water Bay after a routine inspection found “severe damage” to the pipe. The department said on Friday night emergency repairs were under way and anticipated the work to be... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326933/hongkongers-urged-avoid-deep-water-bay-and-repulse-bay-beaches-after-sewage-pipe-splits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326933/hongkongers-urged-avoid-deep-water-bay-and-repulse-bay-beaches-after-sewage-pipe-splits?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:24:51 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Super Typhoon Ragasa may cost Hong Kong billions of dollars in economic losses, but its overall impact may be less severe than past storms, with more people working from home and the stock market trading despite the adverse weather, experts have said. But they warned on Thursday that as extreme weather became more frequent, significant annual economic losses were becoming a “new normal” for the city. Ragasa triggered Hong Kong’s highest-level No 10 typhoon warning signal and brought the city to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3326892/hong-kongs-economic-losses-ragasa-may-run-billions-experts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3326892/hong-kongs-economic-losses-ragasa-may-run-billions-experts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:30:12 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Super Typhoon Ragasa’s trail of devastation across the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan and parts of mainland China has underscored the sobering risks Asia as a region faces from the consequences of climate change, scientists warn, pointing to heavy fossil fuel production and infrastructure lagging behind rapid urbanisation. Exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures along Ragasa’s path in the South China Sea helped it intensify over 24 hours to become the most powerful storm on Earth this year,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3326891/super-typhoon-ragasa-stark-reminder-asias-urgent-climate-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3326891/super-typhoon-ragasa-stark-reminder-asias-urgent-climate-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:23 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Not for the first time, this typhoon season, Hong Kong has cause for serious reflection on the frequency and severity of typhoons attributed to global warming and the consequences of being reckless or unaware of the dangers to life and property. There is much in the experience of Super Typhoon Ragasa from which to draw lessons. Our thoughts are with the family of the woman and her five-year-old son who were rescued after a storm wave washed them off the Chai Wan waterfront. Sadly, this was not... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3326865/super-typhoon-ragasa-made-need-step-action-against-storm-chasers-clear?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3326865/super-typhoon-ragasa-made-need-step-action-against-storm-chasers-clear?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 23:15:13 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung As rescuers raced to find people still missing after catastrophic floods in eastern Taiwan, attention shifted to responsibility and recrimination, turning the disaster zone into a partisan battleground. At least 14 people have been confirmed dead after a landslide dam on the Mataian River burst during Super Typhoon Ragasa, submerging much of Guangfu township in Hualien county and destroying homes and farms. While emergency workers waded through knee-high mud in search of the 22 people still... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3326879/taiwan-political-firestorm-erupts-amid-race-find-ragasa-survivors-utterly-vile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3326879/taiwan-political-firestorm-erupts-amid-race-find-ragasa-survivors-utterly-vile?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:38:44 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Restaurateurs in Tseung Kwan O, whose operations were ruined by Super Typhoon Ragasa, have said the damages run into millions of Hong Kong dollars and will exacerbate their business woes. Tseung Kwan O was one of the hardest-hit areas, as strong storm surges shattered glass doors at restaurants along the promenade and flushed out chairs, booth seats, cushions, plates and glasses onto the pavements. Bacaba owner Satpal Singh estimated at least HK$3 million (US$385,700) in damages, as almost all... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326864/restaurants-need-millions-repairs-after-ragasa-lashes-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326864/restaurants-need-millions-repairs-after-ragasa-lashes-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:02:06 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei The southern Chinese province of Guangdong was mopping up on Thursday after a battering from Ragasa, a super typhoon that has since weakened into a tropical storm. Ragasa made landfall at Yangjiang, in western Guangdong, at around 5pm on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that caused flooding and disrupted transport in cities across the province. Despite the storm’s record strength – it became the world’s strongest typhoon so far this year with sustained wind speeds of up to 265km/h... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3326846/southern-china-cleans-after-lashing-super-typhoon-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3326846/southern-china-cleans-after-lashing-super-typhoon-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:19:55 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong’s labour minister has ruled out legislating the arrangements for suspending work during times of adverse weather, saying the move would hinder the functioning of society and the early return to normality. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han rejected the call on Thursday as some lawmakers urged authorities to better protect workers during inclement weather, after Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaked havoc across the city. Sun said different industries and jobs were... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326819/hong-kong-minister-rejects-work-suspension-legislation-adverse-weather?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326819/hong-kong-minister-rejects-work-suspension-legislation-adverse-weather?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 08:31:05 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Air travellers have been flocking to Hong Kong’s airport after powerful typhoon Ragasa lashed the city, with staff members setting up extra crowd control measures and passengers largely satisfied with the resumption arrangements. Outbound flights resumed at 6am on Thursday, after disruptions since 6pm on Tuesday forced some passengers to adjust their plans. The Airport Authority earlier said it anticipated having to clear a backlog of more than 1,000 flights affecting about 140,000 passengers,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3326797/travellers-return-hong-kong-airport-flights-resume-after-ragasa-disruptions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3326797/travellers-return-hong-kong-airport-flights-resume-after-ragasa-disruptions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 06:16:48 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Post photographer Elson Li did not expect to see anyone when he arrived at the Tseung Kwan O promenade, where raging waves were crashing into the coast as Super Typhoon Ragasa reached its closest point to Hong Kong. But a man sitting alone on a bench facing the sea, with the Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Bridge in the background, caught his eye. It was 6.30am on Wednesday, when the highest-level No 10 hurricane warning signal was in force. At that time, waves reaching up to two-thirds the height of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326760/post-photographer-hopes-viral-ragasa-man-bench-image-warns-against-danger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326760/post-photographer-hopes-viral-ragasa-man-bench-image-warns-against-danger?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 05:27:56 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Oscar Liu,Danny Mok Matthew Cheng,Oscar Liu,Danny Mok Hong Kong’s security chief will consider new legislation to curb storm chasing following the arrest of two thrill-seekers and an incident in which three family members were hurt while watching strong waves during Super Typhoon Ragasa. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung also warned on Thursday that taking children to such dangerous activities could constitute neglect. Police said that two women were arrested for allegedly bringing an eight-year-old boy to take selfies and film the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3326781/hong-kong-aims-curb-storm-chasing-after-mother-and-son-hospitalised-during-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3326781/hong-kong-aims-curb-storm-chasing-after-mother-and-son-hospitalised-during-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 04:56:58 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang Chery Automobile surged as much as 14 per cent above its offer price on its Hong Kong stock debut on Thursday morning, as investors flocked to buy shares in China’s second-largest carmaker following its HK$9.15 billion (US$1.18 billion) initial public offering (IPO). Trading under the stock code 9973, Chery’s shares opened at HK$34.20, an increase of 11 per cent from the offer price of HK$30.75, which was set at the top end of the marketed range. The buying momentum propelled the price to a peak... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3326761/chery-chinas-no-2-carmaker-soars-hong-kong-debut-after-us12-billion-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3326761/chery-chinas-no-2-carmaker-soars-hong-kong-debut-after-us12-billion-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:30:00 +0000 Ambrose Li,Jiang Chuqin,Harvey Kong,Jeffie Lam Ambrose Li,Jiang Chuqin,Harvey Kong,Jeffie Lam This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing now for 50 per cent off during our two-day flash sale. Hong Kong is picking up the pieces as schools resume classes, businesses assess losses and workers tackle the widespread destruction caused by powerful typhoon Ragasa, which brought the city to a standstill for nearly two days. The Hong Kong Observatory cancelled all typhoon warning signals at 11.20am on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326750/hong-kong-lowers-typhoon-warning-signal-no-1-ragasa-weakens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326750/hong-kong-lowers-typhoon-warning-signal-no-1-ragasa-weakens?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 01:15:47 +0000 Edith Lin,Vivian Au Edith Lin,Vivian Au A flooded hotel lobby and promenades engulfed by seas whipped up as Super Typhoon Ragasa bore down on Hong Kong provide timely lessons for urban planning in coastal and other low-lying areas, experts have said. They called for flood-resilient features and higher breakwaters on Wednesday after a storm surge and downpours associated with Ragasa battered the city’s coastline, inundating streets and promenades. Storm surges flooded restaurants, parks and even the lobby of the 425-room Fullerton... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326742/lessons-ragasa-lashing-hong-kong-coastal-areas-must-be-learned-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326742/lessons-ragasa-lashing-hong-kong-coastal-areas-must-be-learned-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:30:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial US global leadership was instrumental in the founding of the United Nations to prevent wars. Now US leadership under President Donald Trump raises questions about the UN’s future. The world organisation marks its 80th anniversary this year. Trump’s address to its 80th annual general assembly was therefore keenly anticipated, no matter the expectations of some leaders. Sadly, they were not proven wrong. The speech confirms that on several big issues, the United States under Trump is heading in a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3326706/trumps-speech-raises-questions-about-future-un?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3326706/trumps-speech-raises-questions-about-future-un?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 23:15:11 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong has seemingly escaped the worst of Super Typhoon Ragasa, thanks to the mercy of nature and advance preparation by the authorities and the community that helped the city weather one of the strongest hurricanes in years. This close call underscores the unpredictable force of natural disasters and the need for continued preparedness for threats brought by extreme weather. Raging at a maximum wind speed of 220km/h near its centre, the superstorm that came as close as 100km south of the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3326690/ragasa-close-call-highlights-need-continued-preparedness?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3326690/ragasa-close-call-highlights-need-continued-preparedness?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 22:45:07 +0000 SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters Hong Kong is gradually returning to normality after Super Typhoon Ragasa paralysed the city for nearly two days, with authorities racing to clear 1,200 toppled trees and a backlog of 1,000 flights that affected 140,000 passengers. The deadly super typhoon, which triggered the highest-level No 10 hurricane warning for nearly 11 hours, edged as close as about 100km (62 miles) to the south of Hong Kong on Wednesday morning, disrupting work and transport services and forcing the suspension of school... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326734/hong-kong-back-action-after-super-typhoon-ragasa-paralyses-city-2-days?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326734/hong-kong-back-action-after-super-typhoon-ragasa-paralyses-city-2-days?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:16:57 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying From slippers and sanitary towels to diapers and potty pads, Hongkongers showed off their creative skills – and humour – in coping with water seepage and rattling windows as Super Typhoon Ragasa battered the city. Well-schooled from their previous experiences with super typhoons, residents on Wednesday took to social media to share their best tips and tricks on how to protect their windows and prevent leakages. Ragasa, which triggered the No 10 typhoon warning, shut down the city as it edged as... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326733/hongkongers-plug-window-leaks-sanitary-pads-diapers-ragasa-rages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326733/hongkongers-plug-window-leaks-sanitary-pads-diapers-ragasa-rages?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:59:53 +0000 Phoebe Zhang,He Huifeng Phoebe Zhang,He Huifeng Major cities in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong appeared to have escaped largely intact from Super Typhoon Ragasa with no casualties reported as of Wednesday afternoon. The city of Shenzhen reported wind speeds of around 200km/h (120mph) – higher than 2018’s Super Typhoon Mangkhut – but as the storm moved west across the province later in the day, these slackened to around 145km/h as it made landfall near the city of Yangjiang, where some residents reported that power and water... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3326723/chinas-guangdong-province-appears-escape-worst-damage-super-typhoon-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3326723/chinas-guangdong-province-appears-escape-worst-damage-super-typhoon-ragasa?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 12:10:44 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Eager travellers, undeterred by an announcement that outbound flights would not resume until 6am on Thursday, headed to Hong Kong International Airport as Severe Typhoon Ragasa moved away from the city. With all flights suspended until midnight, the Airport Authority said it expected the airport would be very busy. It anticipated later handling about 1,000 flights. It would take about two days to clear the backlog of flights, as 140,000 passengers were affected on Tuesday and Wednesday, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3326722/hong-kong-airport-braces-ragasa-backlog-140000-passengers-affected?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3326722/hong-kong-airport-braces-ragasa-backlog-140000-passengers-affected?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:56:19 +0000 Alice Li,He Huifeng Alice Li,He Huifeng Tech industry worker Zhou Keyi has lived in Shenzhen for three years but had never heard such a roar from a typhoon. “I was woken up by the sound of the wind at around 3am on Wednesday – it felt like it was roaring,” Zhou said on Wednesday as Super Typhoon Ragasa hit southern China, battering the region. “The window next to my bed shook as the storm swept past, which made me feel a little scared.” While no deaths had been reported in the southern tech hub as of Wednesday afternoon, the storm’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3326713/it-felt-it-was-roaring-super-typhoon-ragasa-shakes-shenzhen-awake?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3326713/it-felt-it-was-roaring-super-typhoon-ragasa-shakes-shenzhen-awake?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:56:09 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au As Super Typhoon Ragasa battered Hong Kong with hurricane-strength winds on Wednesday morning, some worried residents felt their high-rise buildings sway, but experts and authorities have assured the public that such movements are normal. Ragasa, which triggered the highest-level No 10 warning signal, came within about 100km south of Hong Kong in the morning before the storm was downgraded to a severe typhoon in the afternoon. “Most of the buildings in Hong Kong have been built with wind... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326710/hong-kong-buildings-swaying-super-typhoon-ragasa-nothing-worry-about?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326710/hong-kong-buildings-swaying-super-typhoon-ragasa-nothing-worry-about?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:43:29 +0000 SCMP SCMP As Hong Hong deals with the aftermath of Super Typhoon Ragasa, we take a look at SCMP’s coverage of some of the worst storms the city has experienced. Click here to read more. Hong Kong’s day of terror This article was first published on September 2, 1962 Typhoon Wanda, with winds of up to 162 miles an hour, smashed its way through Hong Kong yesterday and in eight hours of terror, killed or injured hundreds, rendered nearly 20,000 homeless, and left behind it a trial of destruction such as the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326601/when-typhoon-wanda-wreaked-havoc-hong-kong-1962-and-killed-130-scmp-archive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326601/when-typhoon-wanda-wreaked-havoc-hong-kong-1962-and-killed-130-scmp-archive?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:15:10 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng Super Typhoon Ragasa disrupted production of Apple’s iPhones in Shenzhen and crucial pre-holiday shipments by cross-border e-commerce merchants, as the year’s strongest storm barrelled towards southern China with heavy rain and hurricane-force winds. The world’s largest electronics contract manufacturer, Foxconn Technology Group, on Tuesday suspended assembly work at its Shenzhen unit – the innovative Product Enclosure Business Group, responsible for high-speed connectors, memory and other... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3326663/super-typhoon-ragasa-disrupts-iphone-production-cross-border-e-commerce-southern-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3326663/super-typhoon-ragasa-disrupts-iphone-production-cross-border-e-commerce-southern-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:00:19 +0000