Super Typhoon Ragasa is tracking along the south-east coast of China towards Vietnam, prompting evacuations and widespread disruption as the death toll across the region rises to 17.
In Shenzhen, traffic police dispersed a crowd gathered to observe the storm under Shenzhen Bay Bridge, a Reuters witness reported. authorities warned of a high risk of flooding, notably in low-lying areas, with a storm surge alert remaining in effect until Thursday.
An electric scooter delivery driver named Tim, navigating the city to assess damage, described the typhoon as “really intense,” adding, “It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also risky.” He explained he had to return to the bridge after finding the waterfront too hazardous.
Tragically, in Hong Kong, a woman and her five-year-old son were swept into the ocean on Tuesday while watching the typhoon from the waterfront and are currently in intensive care, according to the South China Morning Post.Hong Kong lowered its typhoon signal to eight from 10 at 1pm local time on Wednesday, but the city remains locked down. At least 50 people have been injured, and 791 have sought shelter in 50 temporary shelters opened by the government.
The storm has also impacted Macau, forcing casinos to close gambling areas and restrict guests to their properties as a precaution against strong winds and debris. Videos circulating on the Xiaohongshu app show casino resorts sealing doors for protection.
The Japan Meteorological Agency continues to monitor Typhoon Ragasa’s path.
