Typhoon Ragasa Brings Catastrophic Winds to Northern Philippines, Thousands Flee

Philippines: Thousands Evacuate as Super Typhoon Ragasa Makes Landfall MANILA, Philippines - Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in the northern region of the Philippines as super typhoon Ragasa made landfall on Monday, bringing with it potentially catastrophic winds and a high risk of life-threatening storm surges. According to the Philippine weather authority, Ragasa made landfall over Panuitan Island in Cagayan province at 15:00 local time (08:00 GMT) with wind gusts reaching up to 230kmh (143mph). The typhoon is expected to barrel west towards southern China, prompting concerns about potential damage and disruption to communities along its path. "We are expecting widespread flooding and landslides in the affected areas, as well as significant damage to homes and infrastructure," said Dr. Vicente Malano, head of the Philippine weather bureau's forecasting division. "We urge everyone in the affected areas to take necessary precautions and follow evacuation orders." The remote Batanes or Babuyan islands, where Ragasa made landfall, are home to about 20,000 people who live in poverty. The islands lie approximately 740km (460 miles) north of Taiwan, which has been hit by a series of typhoons in recent weeks. Ragasa's arrival comes as the Philippines is still reeling from weeks of widespread flooding caused by an unusually fierce monsoon season. The country's infrastructure and emergency services have been stretched to the limit, with thousands of people displaced and many more affected by the ongoing floods. "This super typhoon is a major concern for us," said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in a statement on Monday. "We will do everything we can to protect our citizens and minimize damage to property." The Philippines has a long history of being hit by powerful storms, with Ragasa being the latest in a series of intense typhoons to affect the country this year. The nation's vulnerability to natural disasters is attributed to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet and interact. As Ragasa continues on its westward path towards southern China, international aid agencies are monitoring the situation closely, with many expressing concern about potential humanitarian needs. "The Philippines has been hit by a series of devastating natural disasters in recent years," said a spokesperson for the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. "We stand ready to provide support and assistance to those affected by Ragasa." The current status is that thousands have been evacuated from their homes, with many more expected to follow as the storm continues to move westwards. The Philippine government has set up emergency shelters and relief centers in affected areas, while international aid agencies are preparing for potential humanitarian needs. As Ragasa makes its way towards southern China, communities along its path are bracing themselves for potentially catastrophic winds and flooding. The situation is being closely monitored by regional authorities, with many expressing concern about the potential impact on lives and livelihoods. *Reporting by Bbc.*