This is the rare instance when the official term "catastrophe" is used to describe a typhoon. Super Typhoon of Force 17, Ragasa, has become the strongest typhoon of 2025 in the Northwest Pacific, and it might even become the strongest in the world. Force 17 represents the highest intensity for a typhoon. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, this classification has only occurred 14 times.
Guangdong is the province most frequently hit by typhoons in China. Previously, Force 17 typhoons like Rammasun, Mujigae, and Yagi have made landfall in Guangdong as well.
In recent months, Guangdong has been hit by typhoons one after another. On September 19, Typhoon Mitag made landfall in Guangdong, and its residual vortex has not yet dissipated. With the astronomical high tide expected on September 24, this will indirectly intensify the impact of Ragasa.
Its gale-force wind radius (level-8) will cover the entire province of Guangdong. The entire coastline of Guangdong could be affected by storm surges, including Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Yangjiang, Hong Kong, and Macao, all of which are in the dangerous semicircle of the typhoon, with the strongest winds and the most powerful energy.
Ragasa has a clearly visible "eye", which is perfectly round and distinct, and the overall structure of the storm presents a complete spiral shape. As early as September 20, the size of Ragasa had already surpassed that of Guangdong Province.
Faced with such a catastrophe, the public must prepare themselves well to protect both themselves and their families.
Video | Deng Yingheng
Editor | Zhang Xuanzhen (intern), Li Lan (intern), Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
