Typhoon Ragasa Brings Destruction to Northern Philippines, Thousands Evacuated

Super Typhoon Ragasa Brings Destruction to the Philippines MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Thousands of people have been evacuated as Super Typhoon Ragasa made landfall in the northern Cagayan province on Monday, bringing with it powerful winds and a high risk of storm surge. According to the Philippine weather bureau, Ragasa packed wind gusts of 285kmh (177mph) when it made landfall over Panuitan Island at 15:00 local time (08:00 GMT). The storm has since "slightly" weakened, but still poses a significant threat to communities in its path. "We are warning of widespread flooding and landslides, as well as damage to homes and infrastructure," said the Philippine weather bureau. "The high risk of life-threatening storm surge is a major concern." Schools and government offices have been shut in large parts of the country, including in the capital Manila, as authorities scramble to respond to the disaster. The remote Batanes or Babuyan islands, where Ragasa made landfall, are home to about 20,000 people who live in poverty. Herbert Singun, an information officer on Calayan Island, told Agence France Presse that chunks of a school roof had been ripped off by the storm. "This is a devastating blow to our community," said Singun. "We are doing everything we can to prepare for the worst." Super Typhoon Ragasa is the strongest storm anywhere on earth so far in 2025, according to international weather monitoring agencies. Its impact will be felt not just in the Philippines but also in southern China, which is expected to bear the brunt of the storm's westward trajectory. The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to natural disasters, with its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire making it prone to earthquakes and typhoons. The country has a long history of responding to such disasters, but the scale of Ragasa's destruction will test its emergency services to the limit. As the storm continues to move westward, international aid agencies are monitoring the situation closely. "We stand ready to provide support to the people of the Philippines and China as needed," said a spokesperson for the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. The current status is that Ragasa has weakened slightly but still poses a significant threat to communities in its path. The Philippine weather bureau will continue to monitor the storm's progress and issue updates as necessary. Background The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to natural disasters, with its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire making it prone to earthquakes and typhoons. The country has a long history of responding to such disasters, but the scale of Ragasa's destruction will test its emergency services to the limit. International Perspectives The impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa will be felt not just in the Philippines but also in southern China, which is expected to bear the brunt of the storm's westward trajectory. International aid agencies are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to provide support as needed. Current Status and Next Developments The Philippine weather bureau will continue to monitor the storm's progress and issue updates as necessary. The current status is that Ragasa has weakened slightly but still poses a significant threat to communities in its path. *Reporting by Bbc.*