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Hong Kong is preparing for the arrival of Super Typhoon Ragasa, with a 36-hour suspension of passenger flights at Hong Kong International Airport beginning Tuesday evening. The observatory has raised warning signals and forecast gale to hurricane-force winds, along with heavy rain and storm surges. Residents have rushed to stock up on food and household items, leading to shortages and higher prices in some areas. Airlines including Qantas and Cathay Pacific are adjusting operations, while in the Philippines, authorities have already halted work and classes as the typhoon nears northern Luzon.
Hong Kong International Airport will suspend all passenger flights for a 36-hour period starting Tuesday evening, according to a statement from Qantas Airways. The airline said the shutdown would continue until Thursday morning, adding that affected passengers would be contacted directly regarding changes to their travel plans. Advertisement
The Airport Authority Hong Kong confirmed it is tracking the progress of the super typhoon and has already begun preparations, but it has not yet issued an official closure announcement. The storm, named Ragasa, has been described as one of the strongest typhoons expected to hit the city in recent years.
The Hong Kong Observatory said it had raised the lowest typhoon signal at midday on Monday and upgraded it to the second-highest level later that evening. Forecasters warned that weather conditions would worsen quickly from Tuesday, with gale to storm-force winds sweeping across the city. Offshore and highland areas are expected to experience hurricane-force winds, raising concerns about safety in exposed locations.
Residents responded by purchasing essential goods well in advance. On Monday morning, long queues were seen outside supermarkets, where items such as milk were already sold out. At fresh markets, vegetable prices rose to more than three times their usual rates. These conditions were observed across several districts, highlighting the level of public concern.
Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong's largest carrier, stated it is monitoring the storm closely. The airline explained that its flights had not been disrupted at that point but that operations could change depending on how the typhoon develops. Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Department has not provided any immediate comment on the situation.
In the wider region, the Philippines had already suspended work and classes across Metro Manila and northern Luzon earlier in the week, as Ragasa approached with the risk of heavy rain and destructive winds. This move reflected the scale of the storm's impact beyond Hong Kong.
Local meteorologists cautioned that Ragasa is unlikely to weaken before nearing Hong Kong by Wednesday morning. Forecasts indicate strong southeasterly winds, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms. There is also a risk of storm surge raising sea levels to those seen during past severe typhoons, including Mangkhut in 2018 and Hato in 2017, both of which caused extensive flooding and damage across the territory.
Source Reuters
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