Typhoon Ragasa forces closure of bridges and expressways in Guangdong
According to the Guangdong Meteorological Service, Typhoon Ragasa is forecast to make landfall along the coastal areas from Zhuhai to Xuwen in Guangdong on September 24 as a severe typhoon or super typhoon. After landfall, it is expected to shift westward.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link imposed traffic controls on September 23. Starting at 15:00, the Cuiheng East entrance in Zhongshan will close, and from 20:00, both directions of the main line and the entrances of the link will close. Vehicles that have already entered Zhongshan via the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link are advised to exit at the nearest highway interchange or follow police instructions.
Earlier, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was temporarily closed from 15:00 on September 23, along with the simultaneous closure of all three ports. Highways and major bridges in Zhuhai have also been shut down.
The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage, Hailing Island Bridge, Yangjiang-Yangchun Expressway, Yangjiang-Maoming Expressway, Yangchun–Huazhou Expressway, Xinxing–Yangchun Expressway, Guangzhou-Zhuhai West Expressway, Western Coastal Expressway, Zhuhai branch of the Western Coastal Expressway, Kaiping–Yangjiang Expressway, and Xinhui-Taishan Expressway have all activated the highest emergency response for the typhoon.
The Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage, Hailing Island Bridge, and Western Coastal Expressway are expected to be fully closed starting at 19:00 on September 23. At 22:00 on September 23, all expressways in Yangjiang and Jiangmen will be closed.
In addition, work on the under-construction Shiziyang Channel project has been fully suspended.
The reopening time of the above roads and bridges will be announced separately, depending on the typhoon’s development.
Airlines announce flight adjustments, free refund policies due to typhoon
Due to super typhoon Ragasa, several airlines have announced flight adjustments for affected inbound and outbound flights, along with free refund and rescheduling policies for this round of typhoon impacts.
Among them, China Southern Airlines (CSA) has made the following arrangements:
Flight adjustments at various airports
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport: Outbound flights on September 23 are scheduled to depart before 20:00, while inbound flights are set to land before 18:30 on the same day.
Zhuhai Jinwan Airport: 21 inbound and outbound flights on September 23 have been canceled in advance.
Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok): Flights CZ603, CZ604, and CZ5009 on September 23 are canceled, and all flights on September 24 are canceled.
Macau International Airport: All flights on September 24 are canceled.
Huizhou Pingtan Airport: All flights on both September 23 and 24 are canceled.
Kaohsiung International Airport (Taiwan Province): Flights CZ3093 and CZ3094 on September 23 are canceled.
Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (Taiwan Province): All flights on September 23 are canceled.
Refund and rescheduling policy for CSA
Passengers who purchased CSA tickets with ticket numbers starting with 784 before 14:00 on September 22, 2025, for flights involving inbound or outbound (including stopovers) at airports in Hong Kong, Macao, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Huizhou, Jieyang, Zhanjiang, Haikou, Sanya, Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Beihai, with travel dates from September 23, 2025 (inclusive) to September 25, 2025 (inclusive), and who cancel their reserved seats before flight departure, can request refunds or rescheduling within the ticket's validity period.
For the first change, passengers can reschedule to a CSA-operated flight with the same itinerary before September 28, 2025 (inclusive), free of change fees. However, any fare difference will be charged as required.
Passengers applying for a refund within the ticket's validity period will be exempt from refund fees.
Refund and rescheduling policy for China Eastern Airlines (CEA)
According to CEA, for flight tickets issued or reissued before 10:00 on September 22, 2025, passengers can make one free change to a flight within three days (inclusive) before or after the original flight. Refunds will be processed without refund fees.
The policy applies to domestic, regional, or international flights issued on a CEA ticket number 781, where the ticket includes at least one unused segment involving inbound, outbound, or stopover flights at airports in Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Huizhou, Shantou, Zhanjiang, Foshan, Haikou, Sanya, Bo'ao, and Beihai (covering flights operated by CEA, Shanghai Airlines, or other carriers), and the flight departure dates for these specified segments fall between September 23 and September 25, 2025, with no date restrictions applicable to other unused segments within the same ticket.
Guangzhou announces "five suspensions" due to typhoon Ragasa
Super typhoon Ragasa, the 18th typhoon this year, is forecast to severely impact Guangzhou from the night of September 23 to 25, bringing destructive winds, heavy rain, and storm surges. In response, the city has decided to implement a city-wide "five suspensions" (suspension of classes, work, production, business, and transport) on the afternoon of September 23.
Starting from September 23, all nurseries, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, secondary vocational schools, technical institutes, and private training institutions across the city will suspend operations.
Beginning at 19:00 on September 23, all work units must suspend operations while ensuring necessary protection and shelter for essential on-site personnel. Additionally, production must halt at all industrial parks, production bases, and workshops.
From 21:00 on September 23, all commercial operations, including supermarkets, markets, restaurants, entertainment venues, parks, and scenic spots, will close, along with food delivery and parcel delivery services.
A complete suspension of public transport (metro, bus, taxi, and ride-hailing services) will take effect at 00:00 on September 24. All private vehicles, except for those used for emergency response and command, are prohibited from the roads.
All residents and visitors in Guangzhou are urged to closely monitor alerts for the typhoon, heavy rainfall, and flooding. If you are in a danger zone, immediately call emergency hotlines such as 110, 119, 120, or 12345 for assistance.
Typhoon Ragasa to land on coast between Zhuhai and Xuwen on Sept 24
According to the Guangdong Meteorological Service, Typhoon Ragasa is forecast to make landfall along the coastal areas from Zhuhai to Xuwen in Guangdong on September 24 as a severe typhoon or super typhoon. After landfall, it is expected to shift towards the west.
As of 2:00 PM on September 23, cities including Shanwei, Huizhou and Dongguan have already issued red alerts, the highest level of typhoon warning. This indicates that these areas will be affected by the typhoon within the next 12 hours or are already experiencing its impact, with average wind speeds reaching or expected to reach 12 or more on the Beaufort scale and the strong winds are set to continue.
Photo: Guangdong Weather
In terms of storm surges, from the morning of September 23 to the morning of September 24, a storm surge of 90 to 150 centimeters is expected along the coast from Chaozhou to Huizhou in Guangdong. The coastal areas from Shenzhen to Jiangmen will see a storm surge of 120 to 250 centimeters, while the coast from Yangjiang to Maoming will experience a storm surge of 30 to 90 centimeters.
It is predicted that under the influence of Typhoon Ragasa, Guangdong will undergo severe rain and wind from September 23 to 25. Eastern Guangdong, the southern parts of Meizhou and Heyuan, the Pearl River Delta region, and western Guangdong will successively experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, with isolated torrential downpours.
On September 24, western Guangdong and the southwestern part of the Pearl River Delta will experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with isolated torrential downpours. Eastern Guangdong and the southeastern part of the Pearl River Delta will have heavy rain with isolated torrential downpours, while the remaining areas will see heavy rain with isolated downpours.
On September 25, the southern part of the province will have heavy rain with isolated downpours, while the remaining areas will experience moderate rain with isolated heavy rain.
Safety measures for typhoon Ragasa
Five cities in Guangdong announce "five suspensions" due to typhoon Ragasa
As of 18:00 on September 22, due to the impact of super typhoon Ragasa, five cities in Guangdong—Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Yangjiang, Jiangmen, and Dongguan—have announced the implementation of the "five suspensions" (suspension of classes, work, production, transportation, and business operations).
Zhuhai has decided to suspend classes all day on September 23 and 24 and will begin implementing the "five suspensions" on the evening of September 23.
Jiangmen will implement the "five suspensions" in phases across the entire city.
On September 22, Yangjiang issued a pre-announcement regarding the implementation of the "five suspensions."
Zhongshan has announced that classes will be suspended all day on September 23 and 24, with the "five suspensions" beginning on the evening of the 23rd.
Dongguan has decided to implement the "five suspensions" in batches across the city starting from 15:00 on September 22.
Huizhou may issue the "five suspensions" directive (suspending classes, work, production, transportation, and business operations) citywide at 18:00 on September 23. It is recommended that work be suspended starting at noon on the 23rd to allow families to prepare.
In light of the threat posed by the super typhoon, on September 22, Wang Changxiao, Director of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (Earthquake Department) of the Shenzhen Emergency Management Bureau, provided defensive recommendations. He urged the public to understand this safety measure and to stock up on daily supplies in advance.
Wang also stated that Ragasa could be the strongest typhoon to affect Shenzhen since Mangkhut in 2018. He called on citizens to remain vigilant and avoid complacency, offering the following advice: reduce unnecessary travel and avoid coastal areas, riversides, and low-lying areas; stock up on at least three days' worth of drinking water, food, medicine, and emergency supplies.
Shenzhen Airport to suspend flights from 20:00 Sept 23 amid Super Typhoon Ragasa
Starting at 20:00 on September 23, Shenzhen Airport will suspend flight operations because of Super Typhoon Ragasa.
Based on the impact assessment of the super typhoon, the period from the night of September 23 to the daytime of September 24 is expected to be the most severe in terms of disruption to Shenzhen Airport's operations.
The timing for resuming operations will depend on the typhoon's movement and impact. For specific flight adjustments, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines.
After the typhoon's impact weakens on the 24th, Shenzhen Airport will work with air traffic control and airlines to evaluate operational conditions promptly. Flight operations will be gradually and orderly restored once safety can be assured.
Updates regarding the resumption of operations and the latest airport information will be released to the public through Shenzhen Airport's official platforms. Passengers are advised to stay updated with the latest announcements from Shenzhen Airport and airlines and to plan their travel accordingly based on the typhoon's impact.
Additionally, due to the typhoon, all ferry services at Shenzhen Airport Terminal will be suspended from September 21 to September 25. Passengers can request a full refund within 30 days from the date of the suspension announcement by contacting their ticket purchase platform.
South China's Guangdong raises emergency response to approaching typhoon
South China's Guangdong Province on Monday raised its wind emergency response to Level II, with two cities announcing a series of suspension measures, as Typhoon Ragasa approaches.
The Level II response, the second-highest in China's four-tier warning system, was activated at 10 a.m. on Monday.
Schools will suspend classes starting Tuesday in the cities of Zhuhai and Jiangmen -- while work, production, public transport and business operations will also be suspended later on Tuesday, according to the local flood, drought and wind control headquarters.
All passenger ferry services to the Chuanshan Islands in Jiangmen will be suspended starting Tuesday, as the wind speed may reach about 20 meters per second in the nearby sea area.
As of 10 a.m. Monday, the maritime safety administration of the province had relocated over 10,000 coastal vessels across the province to safe waters for shelter.
Affected by the typhoon, heavy rains are expected to hit eastern Guangdong, the Pearl River Delta and western Guangdong from Tuesday to Thursday, with exceptionally severe rain likely in some areas.
To ensure safe railway operations, China Railway Guangzhou Group Co., Ltd. has decided to gradually suspend high-speed and conventional trains within Guangdong starting from noon on Tuesday, with the scope of suspensions adjusted dynamically according to the typhoon's impact. All high-speed and conventional trains in the province will be suspended throughout Wednesday. From the early hours of Thursday, train services will be gradually resumed as the typhoon's impact weakens.
The neighboring Fujian Province upgraded its typhoon warning to Level III at 11 a.m. Monday. The Fujian Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters also elevated its emergency typhoon response from Level IV to Level III at 11 a.m. on the same day.
Typhoon Ragasa, the 18th typhoon of 2025, is forecast to likely make landfall along the central or western coastal areas of Guangdong on Wednesday as a strong or super strong typhoon -- and severely affect the province from Tuesday to Thursday, the provincial meteorological observatory said.
Super typhoon triggers suspension of all trains in Guangdong on Sept. 24
As Super Typhoon "Ragasa" approaches, the China Railway Guangzhou Group has adjusted train operations to ensure safety. The specific arrangements are as follows:
From 12:00 on September 23: High-speed and regular trains within Guangdong will be suspended in stages, with the suspension schedule adjusted according to the typhoon's impact.
All day on September 24: All high-speed and regular trains in Guangdong will be suspended.
From the early hours of September 25: Train services will be gradually resumed based on the weakening of the typhoon.
Photo: Nanfang Plus
Passengers who receive suspension notifications via SMS or the 12306 website (or app) can apply for a full refund within 30 days (including the day of departure) through the 12306 platform or at railway station ticket counters. No refund fees will be charged for train suspensions.
Guangdong on alert for extreme weather as year's strongest typhoon Ragasa approaches
Photo: Nanfang Plus
Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm of 2025 in the Northwest Pacific, is intensifying as it heads northwest toward southern China. With sustained winds reaching levels of 16–17, the typhoon is expected to cross the Bashi Channel into the South China Sea late on September 22 and approach the coast between western Guangdong and eastern Hainan by September 24–25.
From September 23 to 26, eastern Guangdong and areas east of the Pearl River Estuary are expected to experience strong gusts of level 7-9 and heavy rainfall, capable of toppling trees and causing local damage. Coastal waters will see typhoon-force winds, with vessels advised to return to port and secure equipment.
Forecasters warn that Ragasa's proximity to shore may result in multiple landfalls, making exact timing and location uncertain. Guangdong authorities urge residents and businesses to prepare for extreme weather, including heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds.
Weather forecast
September 23: Eastern Guangdong, central-southern Pearl River Delta, southern Meizhou, and southern Heyuan could see torrential to extreme rainfall, while other areas experience cloudy conditions and occasional showers. Gusts during thunderstorms may reach levels of 8–10.
September 24: Eastern Guangdong, the Pearl River Delta, and western Guangdong may see torrential to extreme rain, while northern counties experience heavy to very heavy rain.
Source | South, Xinhua
Cover image | Shantou Fabu
