Typhoon Ragasa Hits Hong Kong Hard: Black Rainstorm Warning, Flight Chaos, and Urban Flooding
Typhoon Ragasa slammed into Hong Kong on September 23, 2025, triggering a Black Rainstorm Warning and Typhoon Signal No. 8 as the city faced intense rainfall, wind damage, and widespread flooding. The storm disrupted transportation, forced school closures, and prompted emergency evacuations across multiple districts.
The Hong Kong Observatory issued Typhoon Signal No. 8 early Tuesday morning as Ragasa’s winds reached 145 km/h, with gusts topping 180 km/h. By dawn, rainfall rates exceeded 70 mm per hour, prompting a Black Rainstorm Warning that remained in effect for several hours.
Ragasa’s downpour flooded streets in Central, Kowloon, and the New Territories, leading to:
MTR line shutdowns due to submerged tracks
Airport delays and over 120 flight cancellations
Power failures in eastern districts
Landslides in hilly areas like Sai Kung and Tai Po
Emergency teams worked through the morning to clear debris, rescue stranded commuters, and restore essential services.
All schools were closed by order of the Education Bureau, and government offices operated with skeleton crews. Residents were urged to stay indoors, avoid flood-prone zones, and follow updates from the Hong Kong Observatory and Emergency Coordination Centre.
Meteorologists link Ragasa’s strength to elevated sea temperatures, a symptom of global climate change. Experts caution that Hong Kong may see more intense typhoons in the coming years, requiring stronger infrastructure and disaster planning.
Dr. Felix Chan commented:
“Ragasa shows us how vulnerable dense urban areas are to climate extremes. We must act now.”
Typhoon Ragasa’s strike on Hong Kong has left a trail of disruption and exposed the city’s storm vulnerabilities. As recovery begins, officials are urging vigilance and long-term investment in climate resilience.
