Powerful Typhoon lagasa Threatens Southern China as “Very Strong” Storm Looms
Hong Kong and surrounding regions are bracing for the potential impact of typhoon Lagasa, currently tracking through the Luzon Sea Cooperative between Luzon and Taiwan. Forecasters anticipate the storm will pass within 100 kilometers southeast of Hong Kong on August 24th, potentially escalating to a “very strong” typhoon – the first of its kind this year.
The approaching storm poses a significant threat to densely populated areas of southern China, including Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen in Guangdong Province. Sea surface temperatures have been steadily rising in the region between august 19th and 24th, creating conditions favorable for typhoon intensification. Unlike scenarios where land interaction weakens a storm, Lagasa’s projected path currently presents no such obstacles, meaning it could maintain full power upon reaching the coast.
Adding to the concern, the region is also forecast to be impacted by Typhoon Mi-Tak between August 19th and 20th, followed by a direct hit from an even stronger system just four days later. Authorities are urging residents to prepare for Typhoon Lagasa before the arrival of Mi-Tak to mitigate potential cumulative damage. Sea level temperature data released by the Meteorological Agency as of september 18th illustrates the warm waters fueling the storm’s growth.
