South China Braces for Impact as Typhoon Ragasa Approaches

Guangdong, China, Sept 25: As Typhoon Ragasa nears South China, authorities in Guangdong Province have suspended schools, public transportation, production, and business operations to ensure public safety.

The provincial flood, drought, and typhoon control headquarters in Zhanjiang City announced that classes were halted from 3 p.m. Tuesday as a precaution. From 3 p.m. Wednesday, work, production, public transport, and business operations across Zhanjiang were also suspended. Critical services, including water, power, gas, communications, medical care, and emergency response, will continue functioning.

Typhoon Ragasa, the 18th typhoon of the year, entered the South China Sea on Monday and was located about 170 km southeast of Yangjiang City at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Forecasts indicate it will move northwest at 20 km/h, making landfall along the coastal areas between Yangjiang and Zhanjiang Wednesday evening.

China’s National Meteorological Centre issued an orange alert—the second highest in the four-tier color-coded system—warning of heavy rainfall and strong winds. Certain areas could experience gusts up to 60 meters per second.

Earlier, Guangdong had raised its wind emergency response to the highest level, expecting Typhoon Ragasa to hit central or western coastal areas as a strong or super strong storm. Cities including Zhuhai, Shenzhen, and Jiangmen have implemented suspensions of schools, work, production, transport, and businesses. Some highway sections and bridges in Zhuhai were closed, and the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge halted outbound passenger clearance.

In neighboring Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, all passenger and ferry services in coastal waters were suspended. Authorities have urged localities and departments to act with maximum caution, implementing strict safety measures as the typhoon approaches.