After Philippines, China braces for Super Typhoon Ragasa: All you need to know

China’s National Meteorological Centre has forecast the typhoon would make landfall in the coastal area between Shenzhen city and Xuwen county in Guangdong province tomorrow. It is likely to remain in the South China Sea at least into Wednesday while passing south of Taiwan and Hong Kong before landfall on the Chinese mainland, AP noted.

Here’s all you need to know about the Super Typhoon Ragasa:

1. 01

   What is a super typhoon?

   A super typhoon is a very violent storm, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, packing winds of 253km/h (157 mph), BBC News highlighted. Typhoons, including a super typhoon, generally form in the West Pacific, close to places like China, Japan, and the Philippines, it noted.

   Super typhoon Ragasa, regarded as the strongest storm of the year, is currently making its way towards Hong Kong, and is likely to impact millions in China once it makes a landfall in Guangdong province on Wednesday.

   It will likely remain in the South China Sea at least into Wednesday while passing south of Taiwan and Hong Kong before landfall on the Chinese mainland.

2. 02

   Where did super typhoon Ragasa hit first this year?

   Super typhoon Ragasa hit the tiny Philippine islands on the country's northern tip on Monday, displacing thousands and killing at least three people, as per an AP report.

   The typhoon has triggered warnings of floods, storm surges and landslides across the region, BBC reported. It is also expected to bring torrential rains and heavy winds to China’s mainland coastal areas starting Tuesday, as per the AP report.

3. 03

   How did the super typhoon impact Philippines?

   Locally referred to as Nando, the super typhoon in Philippines led to the evacuation of thousands from its northern villages. Schools and offices were closed on Monday in the country and neighbouring Taiwan.

   Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended government work and classes in all levels on Monday in the capital and 29 provinces in the main northern Luzon region.

   Electricity too was knocked out on Calayan island and in the entire northern mountain province of Apayao, west of Cagayan, disaster-response officials told AP.

   Domestic flights were suspended in northern provinces, while fishing boats and inter-island ferries were prohibited from leaving ports due to very rough seas.

4. 04

   How is China preparing for the typhoon?

   Residents living in flood-prone areas in China have put sandbags and barriers at their doors, while others have put tape on windows and glass doors to brace for strong winds, news agency AP noted.

   Many stockpiled food and daily supplies on Monday, as some market vendors reported their goods to be selling out fast, owing to the arrival of the typhoon.

   Schools were closed in Hong Kong and the neighbouring city of Macao. Other cities such as the Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen and Foshan in Guangdong province and Haikou in Hainan province ordered class cancellations and a gradual suspension of other businesses and transportation, as per AP.

   Hundreds of flights were cancelled in Hong Kong. Shenzhen airport is also set to halt all flights from Tuesday night, AP reported.

   The Macao government also activated its emergency response mechanism as it expected Ragasa would pass within 100 kilometers to the south of the casino hub on Wednesday morning.

   At least six people were injured and over 7,000 people were evacuated in Taiwan when the typhoon swept south of the island, and over 8,000 households were impacted by a power outage, AP reported quoting the Central News Agency.

5. 05

   What is the current status of super typhoon Ragasa in Philippines and China?

   While the typhoon in the low pressure area outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has a 'high' potential of developing into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours, according to the Office of Civil Defense in the country, it is expected to make a "frontal assault" on the southern Guangdong province, BBC News reported.

   China has ordered at least 10 cities to shut down schools and businesses on Tuesday, AFP reported.