Typhoon Ragasa Batters Taiwan, China and Macao: 14 Dead, Hundreds Trapped

September 24, 2025

Taiwan: Super Typhoon Ragasa has left at least 14 people dead and 18 injured in Taiwan as of Wednesday morning, with around 100 others still trapped and awaiting rescue, according to the island’s emergency operation centre.

Taiwan: Heavy Rainfall and Dam Overflow

The storm’s outer circulation continues to lash Taiwan’s eastern, northern and southern coasts, bringing torrential rains. On Tuesday afternoon, a dam at a barrier lake in Hualien County overflowed, triggering floods and worsening the crisis, Xinhua news agency reported.

China: Zhanjiang, Yangjiang Brace for Landfall

In China’s Guangdong Province, precautionary suspensions have been announced:

• Schools in Zhanjiang City halted classes from 3 p.m. Tuesday.

• From 3 p.m. Wednesday, work, production, public transport and businesses across Zhanjiang will also remain closed.

Only critical services such as water, power, gas, communications, medical care, and emergency response will continue.

Ragasa, the 18th typhoon of the year, entered the South China Sea late Monday. By Wednesday morning, it was about 170 km southeast of Yangjiang City and is expected to make landfall between Yangjiang and Zhanjiang on Wednesday evening.

China’s National Meteorological Centre has maintained an orange alert, the second-highest in its four-tier weather warning system.

Macao: No. 10 Typhoon Signal Hoisted

The storm also passed within 100 km of Macao SAR, prompting the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau to hoist the No. 10 tropical cyclone signal at 5:30 a.m. local time.

Winds in Macao have reached hurricane-level force 12, expected to persist for several hours. Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors as the city grapples with gale-force winds and heavy rain.