Typhoon Ragasa, known locally in the Philippines as Nando, made landfall in southern China this week, bringing destructive winds, flooding rains and storm surge to Guangdong Province and Hong Kong.
Dramatic video from Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour showed storm surge flooding waterfront hotels and pushing seawater into city streets. In Guangdong Province, coastal communities bore the brunt of the right-front quadrant of the typhoon, suffering structural damage despite the storm’s center coming ashore west of Hong Kong.
Taiwan also reported heavy casualties from the system. Officials confirmed at least 14 deaths linked to flooding and landslides. In the Philippines, the Babuyan Islands, northern Cagayan and Ilocos Norte sustained serious wind and flood damage as Nando swept through the Luzon Strait earlier this week.
With Nando now weakening inland, attention has shifted to a new storm developing in the Philippine Sea. Tropical Storm Oppong, internationally named Buloi, has continued to intensify east of Mindanao. PAGASA expects the storm to strengthen into a severe tropical storm or even a typhoon before making landfall in the Bicol region late this week, with Catanduanes and surrounding provinces at risk.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 has already been issued for northern Samar, while Signal No. 1 covers much of Bicol. Meteorologists warn that additional signals may soon extend to Metro Manila, as current model guidance brings Oppong westward across Luzon. A possible landfall track near Cavite could bring typhoon-force winds and flooding rains directly into the National Capital Region.
Authorities are urging residents across Bicol, Samar and Luzon to prepare for heavy rainfall, storm surge and power disruptions as the storm approaches.