The power of nature was on full display as Typhoon Ragasa battered parts of Southeast Asia this week, leaving destruction and chaos in its wake.
In one harrowing moment captured on video in Hong Kong, two women and a child were swept off their feet by massive waves while taking photos by the waterfront.
The footage shows them struggling to regain footing after being slammed into a metal fence, a stark reminder of how quickly nature can turn dangerous.
Hong Kong Faces Flooded Streets and Fallen Trees
The incident unfolded in South Horizons, Hong Kong, as Ragasa’s weakening storm pushed west along southern China.
Earlier in the week, strong winds and surging waters had toppled over 1,200 trees in the city.
Streets were littered with fallen branches, and around 100 people were injured.
Despite the chaos, businesses began reopening, flights resumed, and normal life started to return, though the lingering damage remained visible.
Guangdong Province Hit Hard
In Guangdong, the storm wreaked havoc on cities like Yangjiang, where over 10,000 trees were damaged and streets became submerged under water. Rescue crews worked tirelessly with excavators to clear blocked roads.
Nearly half a million households lost power, and by Thursday morning, more than a third remained without electricity.
In Zhuhai, streets turned into rivers, forcing rescuers to use inflatable boats to save stranded residents.
Communication was even cut off to some islands in Jiangmen, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
Widespread Precautions Across Guangxi and Vietnam
Authorities in the Guangxi region preemptively closed schools and businesses, and halted tourism activities.
In Vietnam, the government took extensive measures to protect lives and infrastructure.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính ordered officials to secure dams and hospitals, safeguard fishing vessels, and prepare evacuation and search-and-rescue operations.
Flights were canceled or rescheduled, and workers trimmed trees in northern provinces to minimize wind hazards.
Ragasa’s Deadly Impact in Taiwan and the Philippines
Taiwan revised its death toll from 17 to 14, with victims primarily in eastern Hualien County, where heavy rains caused a barrier lake to overflow.
Floodwaters destroyed roads, carried away vehicles and furniture, and left some residents unreachable. Dozens were injured across the island.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Ragasa claimed at least 11 lives, including seven fishermen who drowned when their boat capsized in northern Cagayan province.
Two fishermen remained missing, and authorities are on high alert as another tropical storm, named Opong locally, approaches from the Pacific.
Forecasts suggest this new storm could strengthen into a typhoon as it nears the east-central Philippines.
Ragasa Weakens but Threat Remains
After peaking as a super-typhoon with sustained winds of 165 mph, Ragasa’s strength diminished to 40 mph by Thursday.
While the worst of the winds had passed, heavy rains continue to pose a threat to Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia.
The storm serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating effects typhoons can have on communities, infrastructure, and lives across the region.