Background on the Storm and Its Path
Super Typhoon Ragasa is rapidly intensifying and is expected to make landfall on the sparsely populated Philippine islands of Batanes or Babuyan by early afternoon on Monday, according to the national weather agency.
Storm Details
- At 08:00 local time on Monday (00:00 GMT), winds were blowing at 215 kilometers per hour in the storm’s center, with gusts reaching 265 km/h, according to the Philippines’ national weather service.
- The rapidly strengthening cyclone is forecast to bring intense rainfall and strong winds to northern Philippines and southern Taiwan.
Evacuation Efforts and Preparations
On Monday, hundreds of families sought refuge in schools and evacuation centers due to the heavy rainfall and strong winds caused by Super Typhoon Ragasa, which battered northern Philippines and southern Taiwan.
Philippine Evacuation Measures
- The Philippine government ordered evacuations in the northern part of the country on Sunday.
- Offices and schools will remain closed on Monday in the Manila region and in 29 provinces.
- Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla urged local authorities not to waste time in moving families away from danger zones.
Climate specialist John Grender Almario warned on Sunday that severe flooding and landslides are expected in northern Luzon, where Manila is located.
Taiwan Evacuation Measures
Small-scale evacuations were carried out in mountainous areas near Pingtung, according to local fire department official James Wu.
“Our main concern is that the damage could be similar to what Typhoon Koinu caused two years ago, which knocked down power lines and ripped off roofs in the region,” Wu added.
Public Response and Protests
On Sunday, thousands of people protested in Manila over a corruption scandal involving flood control projects.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Super Typhoon Ragasa? Super Typhoon Ragasa is a rapidly intensifying tropical cyclone expected to impact northern Philippines and southern Taiwan with heavy rainfall and strong winds.
- Who issued evacuation orders? The Philippine government, specifically Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, ordered evacuations in the northern part of the country.
- What concerns are there in Taiwan? Local officials in Taiwan are worried about potential damage similar to that caused by Typhoon Koinu two years ago, which resulted in downed power lines and damaged roofs.
- What are the protests in Manila about? The protests in Manila are related to a corruption scandal involving flood control projects.
