Super typhoon Ragasa batters northern Philippines, forces mass evacuations

Tens of thousands of residents in the northern Philippines have been forced to evacuate as Super Typhoon Ragasa pounded coastal communities on Monday, bringing destructive winds, torrential rains, and a high risk of deadly storm surges.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Ragasa made landfall over Panuitan Island in the Babuyan group, part of Cagayan province, at around 15:00 local time (08:00 GMT).

The storm was packing sustained winds with gusts reaching up to 285 km/h (177 mph), before weakening slightly as it continued its westward track.

Despite the marginal decrease in intensity, authorities stressed that the danger remains severe. PAGASA warned of storm surges exceeding three metres (10 feet), along with widespread flooding, landslides, and extensive damage to homes, crops, and public infrastructure.

Local officials confirmed that evacuation centers in Cagayan and neighboring provinces were operating at full capacity, with emergency personnel racing to deliver relief supplies.

Power outages were reported in several towns as transmission lines collapsed under the force of Ragasa’s winds.

“We urge the public not to be complacent. Even with the storm weakening slightly, the risk to life and property remains extremely high,” PAGASA said in its latest advisory.

The typhoon is forecast to barrel westward across the Luzon Strait toward southern China over the next 48 hours, bringing dangerous sea conditions across the South China Sea. Shipping lanes have been suspended, and authorities warned fishermen and small vessels to remain in port.

The Philippines, situated on the Pacific “typhoon belt,” is struck by around 20 tropical cyclones each year, with Ragasa among the strongest to hit the country in recent years.