Hong Kong shuts down ahead of world's biggest typhoon this year

Hong Kong went into shutdown on Tuesday as Super Typhoon Ragasa, the world’s most powerful storm of the year, approached with hurricane-force winds. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the T8 signal, its third-highest warning, leading to the closure of most businesses, transport services, and the suspension of more than 700 flights across Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Authorities urged people to stay home and prepare for worsening conditions as winds of 220 km/h (137 mph) threatened the densely packed city.

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Panic buying swept through supermarkets as residents rushed to stockpile food and essentials. Windows across the city were taped to reduce the risk of shattered glass, and sandbags were distributed to protect low-lying homes from flooding. Officials warned of storm surges up to five metres, comparable to the devastation caused by Typhoon Hato in 2017 and Mangkhut in 2018.

Despite the widespread shutdown, Hong Kong’s Stock Exchange announced it would remain open under its new policy of operating regardless of weather conditions. Local businesses adjusted differently, with some shutting their doors while others offered discounts to attract residents stuck at home during the storm.

At its peak on Monday, Ragasa registered maximum sustained winds of 260 km/h (162 mph), making it a Category 5 storm and the strongest globally in 2025. Though it weakened slightly to a Category 4, the storm remains capable of severe destruction as it moves closer to southern China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

In Guangdong province, over ten cities, including Shenzhen and Zhuhai, suspended work, transport, and schools. Authorities activated flood control measures and prepared emergency shelters for residents. Crews in Shenzhen were seen cutting tree branches to prevent road blockages and minimize damage during the storm. The Chinese Environmental Forecasting Centre warned that waves as high as seven metres could batter the coastline.

In Macau, casinos were ordered to close as the city raised its typhoon warning to T8, while Taiwan reported nearly 60 centimetres of rainfall in mountainous regions, leaving 25 people injured and cancelling more than 270 flights.

With the storm surging across the region, millions are bracing for heavy rain, flooding, and power disruptions, underscoring the scale of the threat posed by Ragasa’s path.

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