Super Typhoon Ragasa Brings Fears of Catastrophic Destruction to Philippines

Super Typhoon Ragasa Nears Philippines, Thousands Evacuate MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as Super Typhoon Ragasa bears down on the Philippines, bringing with it potentially catastrophic winds and a high risk of life-threatening storm surge. According to the Philippine weather bureau, Ragasa is forecast to make landfall over the sparsely populated northern islands of Batanes or Babuyan on Monday, packing wind gusts of up to 230kmh (143mph). The storm is expected to barrel west towards southern China, bringing with it widespread flooding and landslides. "We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our citizens," said Ricardo Jalad, director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. "We urge everyone in the affected areas to evacuate immediately and follow the instructions of local authorities." The remote Batanes or Babuyan islands, where Ragasa is forecast to make landfall, are home to about 20,000 people, many of whom live in poverty. The islands lie about 740km (460 miles) north of Taiwan, where nearly 300 people have been evacuated from Hualien, a county in the east. Ragasa comes as the Philippines reels from weeks of widespread flooding caused by an unusually fierce monsoon. The country's infrastructure and homes are still recovering from the damage, making it vulnerable to further destruction. "This storm is a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation," said Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, executive director of the University of the Philippines' National Engineering Center. "We need to invest in our infrastructure and emergency response systems to prevent loss of life and property." The Philippine government has shut schools and government offices in large parts of the country, including the capital Manila, as a precautionary measure. Authorities have warned of widespread flooding and landslides, as well as damage to homes and infrastructure. Ragasa is not expected to hit Taiwan, but its proximity to the island has prompted authorities there to take precautions. Nearly 300 people have been evacuated from Hualien, a county in the east, as a precautionary measure. As Ragasa approaches the Philippines, international aid agencies are on standby to provide assistance if needed. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has issued a statement urging governments and communities to take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the storm. The current status is that thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as Ragasa bears down on the Philippines. The storm is expected to make landfall on Monday, bringing with it potentially catastrophic winds and a high risk of life-threatening storm surge. *Reporting by Bbc.*