Hong Kong shuts down as Super Typhoon Ragasa nears

Hong Kong shut schools and cancelled flights on Sept 23 as Super Typhoon Ragasa approached the financial centre with a force that officials warned would be among the most destructive in the city’s recent history.

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The powerful storm posed a wide threat to lives and homes, prompting the authorities in mainland China to order businesses and schools to shut in at least 10 cities across the nation’s south.

The storm had toppled trees, torn roofs off buildings and killed at least one person in a landslide while lashing the northern Philippines, where thousands sought shelter in schools and evacuation centres.

The super typhoon was generating maximum sustained winds of 220kmh near its centre while moving west across the South China Sea, according to Hong Kong’s weather service.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued its third-highest typhoon warning, T8, at 2.20pm on Sept 23, saying that Ragasa “has an extensive circulation with fierce winds”.

“The weather is expected to start deteriorating rapidly later today, with winds strengthening quickly,” the observatory said, adding that a “significant” storm surge may cause water levels to rise by up to 4m by Sept 24.

Ms Yang Lee-o, who has lived in the seaside neighbourhood of Lei Yue Mun for 40 years, said government workers had already spent a day placing sandbags.

“Lei Yue Mun is the hardest hit whenever there’s a typhoon or rainstorm,” said the 71-year-old, adding that the water level went up to her thighs during a previous super typhoon.

Scores of workers have set up barricades and elevated walkways, with some business owners moving their wares out of the area.