China has issued orders for at least 10 cities to close schools and businesses in preparation for Super Typhoon Ragasa’s arrival in the southern part of the country. This action will impact a significant number of residents and lead to reduced operations at numerous factories in China’s manufacturing hub.
Forecasts project that Ragasa will hit the central and western coastal regions of Guangdong province within the next 24 hours. The province’s emergency management bureau emphasized the importance of taking decisive measures to ensure the safety of people and their property while minimizing potential disaster impacts.
As Ragasa approaches with wind gusts reaching up to 230 kilometers per hour, Guangdong has activated its highest-level emergency response for windstorms. Shenzhen, a key technology center, has already evacuated 400,000 individuals due to the expected severe weather conditions including strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potential flooding.
Authorities in multiple cities, including Zhuhai, Dongguan, and Foshan, have implemented precautionary measures such as urging residents to stay indoors and closing down non-essential services. Foshan’s emergency headquarters highlighted the imminent threat posed by the storm and the need for a critical defense response.
Ragasa, which previously impacted parts of the Philippines resulting in a fatality, is currently moving through the South China Sea. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has issued safety warnings to vessels navigating specific areas, advising them to be cautious.
It is widely acknowledged by scientists that the increasing intensity and frequency of storms like Ragasa are linked to human-induced climate change as global temperatures continue to rise.