Hong Kong Shuts Down for 36 Hours as Typhoon Ragasa Approaches

Airport Closure and Flight Cancellations

Hong Kong International Airport has announced a sweeping 36-hour suspension of all passenger flights in anticipation of Typhoon Ragasa, which meteorologists warn could be one of the most destructive storms in recent history. The suspension began at 08:00 on Tuesday, September 23, and will continue until 08:00 on Thursday, September 25.

The unprecedented shutdown has had an immediate impact on regional and international air travel. Singapore Airlines confirmed that several of its flights have been cancelled, while Qantas also acknowledged the suspension window and pledged to reach out to passengers whose journeys are affected. Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, stated that more than 500 flights would be scrapped during the closure, with operations expected to gradually resume on Thursday morning.

Although the Airport Authority Hong Kong has not formally declared the suspension themselves, they have emphasized that they are monitoring Ragasa’s progress closely. Airlines, however, are not taking any chances given the storm’s ferocity.

Escalating Typhoon Warnings

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) began raising alerts well before Ragasa’s arrival. On Monday midday, the Observatory issued its lowest typhoon warning, which was rapidly upgraded to the second-highest level later that same evening between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm. By Tuesday, conditions worsened dramatically.

At one point, Hong Kong was placed under the highest typhoon signal, T10, reserved for the most severe tropical cyclones. Although later downgraded to T8, the downgrade did little to reassure residents, as destructive winds and surging seas battered the city’s coastal districts. Meteorologists have confirmed that Ragasa has now become the strongest tropical cyclone anywhere in the world so far this year, packing sustained winds exceeding 260 kilometers per hour.

City Braces for Impact

As the warnings escalated, Hong Kong residents rushed to prepare. On Monday, supermarkets and fresh markets were overwhelmed with panic buying. Essential goods such as rice, canned foods, and bottled water were stripped from shelves within hours. Milk supplies in many districts ran out entirely, while fresh produce prices soared. Reuters reported that in some neighborhoods, vegetables were being sold for more than triple their usual prices.

By Tuesday afternoon, gale-force winds were already rattling windows and sending loose objects flying across the city. Offshore and at higher altitudes, hurricane-force gusts were recorded. Forecasters predicted that the most dangerous conditions would strike on Wednesday, when Ragasa’s outer bands would lash the city with sustained storm-force winds.

Devastation Along the Coastline

The arrival of Ragasa brought immediate and visible destruction. Massive waves crashed into Hong Kong’s eastern promenades, flooding low-lying roads and damaging sea defenses. In several districts, seawater surged into ground-floor shops and residential buildings. Trees were uprooted across the city, blocking roads and disrupting traffic, while public transportation services were suspended or severely limited.

Images shared on social media captured cars submerged in floodwaters, shattered glass from high-rise buildings, and coastal parks entirely submerged under storm surges. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors, avoid coastal areas, and secure loose items at home.

Regional Impact and Evacuations in China

While Hong Kong endured the storm’s direct assault, Ragasa continued to push toward the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. Officials across the mainland moved quickly to implement emergency measures. Tens of thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate from vulnerable coastal and riverside communities, and several cities announced temporary shutdowns of businesses, factories, and schools.

China’s emergency management ministry has deployed thousands of personnel to assist with disaster response, including flood control and rescue operations. Early reports indicate that storm surges could inundate large swathes of Guangdong’s coastline, raising fears of widespread flooding and infrastructure damage.

A Super Typhoon of Global Concern

Typhoon Ragasa is being described by meteorologists as a super typhoon of historic strength. With maximum sustained winds surpassing 260 km/h, it is not only the strongest cyclone of the year worldwide but also one of the most powerful storms to ever threaten southern China and Hong Kong.

Experts warn that the combination of extreme wind speeds, torrential rainfall, and destructive storm surges poses a multi-faceted threat. Flooding, landslides, power outages, and transportation disruptions are expected to persist even after Ragasa moves inland.

Looking Ahead

Hong Kong International Airport is expected to reopen gradually on Thursday morning, but airlines warn that delays and disruptions could extend well beyond the 36-hour suspension window. With more than 500 flights already cancelled and many others likely to be rescheduled, passengers have been urged to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.

Meanwhile, the focus remains on safety and survival. Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant, stay indoors, and heed official warnings. For now, Hong Kong and southern China brace themselves for the full impact of Typhoon Ragasa — a storm already etched into history as one of the fiercest weather events in recent memory.