Typhoon Ragasa, also known as Super Typhoon Nando in the Philippines, is one of the most powerful storms of 2025. It formed in the Western Pacific Ocean and quickly became a big threat to nearby countries.

From the beginning, Ragasa grew fast and turned into a dangerous storm. This forced governments and disaster teams to prepare safety measures. People in the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China closely watched its path as it moved towards crowded areas.

What Is Typhoon Ragasa?

Typhoon Ragasa began as a small tropical depression on September 17, 2025, in the north of Yap in the Western Pacific Ocean. Within a few days, it gained strength and became a super typhoon by September 22. Typhoon Ragasa had a strong wind strength of 270 kilometers per hour and a minimum central pressure of 905 millibars. 

At its peak, Ragasa recorded winds of 270 km/h and a pressure of 905 millibars. The intensity of the winds and Typhoon Ragasa made it a Category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which is the highest level, and storms of this strength can destroy houses, uproot trees, flood roads, and damage major infrastructure.

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Typhoon Ragasa Affected Areas

Typhoon Ragasa impacted the entire Philippines, with major effects also reported in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China. The affected areas were:

Taiwan

In Taiwan’s eastern Hualien County, severe flooding occurred after a barrier lake burst, leading to at least 14 confirmed deaths and leaving over 260 people trapped.

Rescue operations are still underway, though authorities are facing significant challenges due to the ongoing severe weather. The typhoon has also caused major infrastructural damage, including destroyed bridges and widespread flooding in urban areas.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong experienced intense weather conditions, including powerful winds and heavy rainfall. A dramatic video captured a massive shelf cloud forming over Lamma Island is going all over internet. This massive shelf cloud formation is purely signaling the storm’s immense power. 

Additionally, raging waters flooded hotel lobbies and streets, causing significant property damage. The city issued a Typhoon Signal 8 alert, prompting the closure of schools, businesses, and public transportation services.

Philippines

In the Philippines, big waves hit coastal towns like Basco in Batanes. In Uyugan, landslides blocked roads and made travel difficult. The Philippine Coast Guard is helping with rescue work. People trapped in rivers were saved and moved to safer places.

Southern China

In Guangdong, China, about 4 lakh people were moved to safe places before the storm. Schools and shops were closed, and many flights were canceled to keep everyone safe. All safety measures were taken to lessen the effect of Typhoon Ragasa. 

Understanding Typhoons

Typhoons are referred to as tropical cyclones that are generally formed in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. They have common characteristics of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and destructive storms. 

In fact, the term “typhoon” has several different names depending on different areas. For instance, these are called hurricanes in the Atlantic. It is called the Cyclone in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.

Typhoon vs Cyclone

Typhoons and cyclones are both types of tropical storms. The main difference is in their location and regional naming, while their structure, formation, and effects remain largely similar. Here are key differences between Typhoon vs Cyclone:

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Also Read: Cyclones: Formation, Effects And Characteristics

Types of Cyclones

Cyclones are strong, spinning storms. They can be different in size, strength, how they form, and where they happen. That’s why it is important to understand their types:

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