Breaking news, Hong Kong city is bracing for one of the year’s most perilous storms. Super Typhoon Ragasa is approaching Hong Kong with winds of up to 220 kilometres per hour, compelling schools and businesses to shut their doors. The latest news reports show that around 700 flights have been cancelled or delayed as the city prepares for potentially the strongest typhoon to strike the area this year.
The Hong Kong Observatory reports that the typhoon is edging nearer to southern China and will make landfall in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Authorities are going to upgrade the typhoon warning to level 8 by Tuesday afternoon, which will force the majority of businesses and transport services to completely shut down. This is the third-highest warning level, and weather experts are weighing the need to declare an even higher alert later.
Individuals Scramble to Purchase Food as Storm Nears
Homeowners around Hong Kong are topping off water and food supplies before the typhoon hits. Crowds waited in supermarket queues on Monday, with milk and meat proving to be popular items that quickly sold out in most stores. Vegetable prices at the markets around town have more than doubled as people fear shortages during and after the storm. Most shop owners are boarding up the windows and bracing buildings for the strong winds.
Local governments distributed sandbags to residents of low-lying communities to serve as a defense against flooding. The Hong Kong Observatory had cautioned that sea levels may rise by around two meters along the coastline, with certain spots experiencing water levels between 4 and 5 meters high. This flooding may be comparable to that during Typhoon Hato in 2017 and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, which both dealt billions of dollars in damage.
Neighboring Regions Also Bracing for Perilous Storm
Macau, the world’s largest gambling hub, is also preparing for the typhoon with school shutdowns and evacuations to safer locations. In the Chinese technology hub of Shenzhen, authorities have readied over 800 emergency shelters for residents needing to evacuate from home. Flood control measures have been activated by Chinese authorities in several southern provinces, and warnings are being issued for heavy rain from Tuesday evening.
Taiwan has relocated over 7,600 individuals from mountain regions in the southern and eastern parts of the island to secure areas already. The island has cancelled 273 flights and suspended some train operations as the typhoon continues to cause disruptions for a second day. Ragasa struck the Philippines on Monday, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directing all government agencies to remain on red alert in order to assist those who have been affected by the storm.
Financial Hub Stays Open for Stock Market Amid Storm
In spite of the risky weather conditions, Hong Kong’s Stock Exchange will be open during the typhoon. The exchange altered its policy last year to continue trading regardless of the weather. But most other companies and transport services will close when the warning is at level 8, as anticipated by Tuesday afternoon.
Weather forecasters predict hurricane-force winds will strike Hong Kong on Wednesday, accompanied by heavy rain that may result in severe flooding for the densely populated city. The observatory is tracking the storm closely and will determine if it will upgrade the warning to an even higher level as the typhoon approaches. Officials are calling for all residents to take the necessary precautions and remain at home when the typhoon strikes.
FAQs
1. How powerful are Super Typhoon Ragasa’s winds?
The typhoon has speeds of up to 220 kilometres an hour, so it is very dangerous.
2. When will the typhoon strike Hong Kong?
The storm is going to strike Hong Kong on Wednesday with the worst weather.
3. How many flights have been canceled?
Approximately 700 flights have been interrupted because of the coming typhoon.
4. Will the Hong Kong Stock Exchange be closed?
No, the stock exchange will remain open since it shifted its policy to keep trading even in poor weather.
5. How bad could flooding be in Hong Kong?
Water levels would rise 2 metres along the coast, with 4-5 metres of flooding in certain areas.
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