Super typhoon Ragas set to be strongest Hong Kong storm since 2018 Hurricane-force winds with speeds of up to 230km/h expected

Hong Kong is preparing for the arrival of super typhoon Ragas, which the Hong Kong Observatory warns could be the most powerful storm to strike the city since 2018. In response, the Observatory has issued a storm warning signal No. 8, prompting all government offices to close and urging residents to return home and remain indoors.

“Stay away from the coast and do not engage in water sports,” the agency advised, according to Chinese media.

The authorities also urged residents on remote islands to evacuate immediately and stressed that all precautions should be taken without delay.

Meteorologists predict that Ragas will surpass the strength of Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, which remains one of the most destructive storms in decades. The Observatory anticipates issuing the highest storm warning, level 10, later in the evening, signalling residents to stay indoors and away from windows and doors to avoid injuries from flying glass. Preliminary forecasts indicate the typhoon will reach Hong Kong on the night of September 23, with arrival times estimated between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. local time.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall and winds exceeding 60 metres per second. Coastal areas may face a rise in sea levels of approximately 3.5–4 metres due to strong winds, potentially causing flooding.

In preparation, government offices will remain closed, schools will cancel classes, and temporary shelters will be opened across the city for residents caught outdoors during the storm. Public transport will be limited, with only the metro operating and some stations potentially closed.

Air travel is also heavily affected. Around 700 flights at Hong Kong International Airport have been cancelled or postponed. Cathay Pacific Airways has cancelled approximately 500 flights, HK Express around 100 flights, Hong Kong Airlines about 90, and Greater Bay Airlines more than 20 flights.

Authorities have warned that anyone outdoors without a valid reason, including those tracking the typhoon or taking photos and videos, may face administrative penalties.

By Tamilla Hasanova