Super Typhoon Ragasa Devastates Taiwan with Bridge Collapse and Floods

Introduction:
Super Typhoon Ragasa, packing sustained winds of 260 kph and gusts up to 285 kph, made a devastating landfall in Taiwan's eastern Hualien County on September 23, 2025, unleashing catastrophic flooding that burst a barrier lake, collapsed a bridge, and claimed at least 17 lives with 124 missing. The storm, the world's strongest of 2025 and second-most powerful since records began in 1950, dumped nearly 60 cm of rain in 24 hours, turning rivers into raging torrents that submerged neighborhoods, uprooted trees, and swept away vehicles in Guangfu township. Drone footage captured the Mataian Bridge's destruction as waters surged over it, while rescuers in boats pulled survivors from waist-deep floods, with 28 injured and ongoing searches for the missing.

After killing three in the Philippines on September 22 and sparing Hong Kong's worst impacts on September 23 with Signal No. 8 warnings, Ragasa weakened to a severe typhoon but remains destructive, barreling toward China's Guangdong province with 1.9 million evacuated and businesses shuttered in Shenzhen and Zhuhai. Hong Kong saw fallen trees, flooded streets, and 700+ flight cancellations, while Macau suspended power in low-lying areas. Why does this matter? Ragasa, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, exemplifies climate change's intensification of storms—higher winds, heavier rain, and more frequent coastal flooding, per UN scientists—threatening $5 billion in damages to Guangdong's manufacturing hub. As of September 24, 2025, 10:00 AM IST, recovery efforts intensify in Taiwan amid ongoing alerts in China. This article details the timeline, impacts, responses, historical context, statistics, expert analyses, and forecasts.

Timeline of Typhoon Ragasa

• September 21: Forms as a depression in the South China Sea, rapidly intensifying.
• September 22: Hits Category 5, lands in Cagayan, Philippines, killing 3, displacing 17,500.
• September 23: Batters Taiwan's east, bursting Hualien lake; Hong Kong hoists Signal No. 8; 700+ flights canceled.
• September 24: Weakens, lands in Guangdong; 1.9M evacuated; Macau floods.
• September 25 Forecast: Further weakening; remnants impact Vietnam.

Impacts: Deaths, Floods, and Disruptions

Taiwan: 17 dead, 28 injured, 124 missing in Hualien after lake burst flooded Guangfu, destroying Mataian Bridge and submerging cars. 60 cm rain in 24 hours caused "tsunami from mountains."

Hong Kong: Fallen trees, flooded lobbies; 700+ flights canceled; Disneyland closed.

China (Guangdong): 1.9M evacuated; Shenzhen/Zhuhai shut; $5B potential damage.

Philippines: 3 dead, 17,500 displaced.

Official Responses

Taiwan: Premier Cho Jung-tai ordered inquiry into evacuation failures; rescuers use boats in Hualien.

Hong Kong Observatory: "Severe threat; 4m surges possible."

China: Non-emergency hospitals suspended; 4,000 officers in Hong Kong.

Historical Context

Ragasa rivals Hato (2017, $11B damage) and Mangkhut (2018, $6B). 2025 typhoons up 20% from warming oceans.

Statistics

• Winds: 260 kph peak; 220 kph sustained.
• Deaths: 17 Taiwan, 3 Philippines.
• Evacuations: 1.9M Guangdong.
• Flights: 700+ canceled.

Expert Opinions

Chad Myers (CNN): "Ragasa's size rivals Mangkhut; surges to 4m." Johnny Chan (CityU HK): "Climate change makes storms more intense." X: #TyphoonRagasa (50k posts), 80% prep tips.

What's Next

Recovery in Taiwan; landfall Guangdong September 24; remnants Vietnam September 25. Stock supplies, avoid coasts.

Conclusion

Super Typhoon Ragasa's September 23, 2025, hit on Taiwan killed 17 and flooded Hualien, with bridges destroyed and 1.9M evacuated in China. As it weakens, vigilance continues. Updates at nuvexic.com.

FAQ

1. What is Super Typhoon Ragasa's strength?
   Category 5, 260 kph winds.

2. Deaths in Taiwan?
   17, with 124 missing.

3. Evacuations in China?
   1.9 million in Guangdong.

4. Flights canceled in Hong Kong?
   700+.

5. Schools closed where?
   Taiwan, Hong Kong, southern China.

6. Forecast landfall?
   Guangdong September 24, weakening.