Huge waves surge in front of a seawall in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, on September 24, 2025, as Typhoon Ragasa made landfall on this day on the province's Hailing Island. Photo: VCG

Typhoon Ragasa, the year's 18th typhoon, made landfall on Hailing Island in Yangjiang, Guangdong Province at around 5 pm Wednesday. As its impact gradually weakened, Shenzhen Airport resumed flights by 8 pm, and several cities across Guangdong have lifted the "five suspensions" on classes, work, production, business and transport.

On Wednesday, China's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Emergency Management urgently allocated 150 million yuan ($21.1 million) to support Guangdong, Hainan and Fujian in flood and typhoon emergency response and rescue operations. The funds will be used for relocating and sheltering affected people, eliminating hazards conducting inspections for secondary disaster risks, and carrying out emergency remediation, aiming to minimize the impact of the disaster and effectively safeguard the lives and property of the people.

China Weather reported that Hailing Island saw heavy rain and force-15 gales before Ragasa's landfall. At landfall, Ragasa packed maximum winds of force 13 (40 m/s) near its center, with a minimum central pressure of 955 hPa, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

China Weather added that Ragasa's maximum winds reached 52 m/s around 1 pm Wednesday, before dropping to 40 m/s at landfall on Hailing Island in Yangjiang at about 5 pm.

Xu Yinglong, chief forecaster at the China Meteorological Administration, explained that Ragasa weakened rapidly due to cold air intrusion into its circulation and the effects of terrain. He noted that there have been cases where a typhoon dissipated entirely because of cold air intrusion.

In response, cities in Guangdong announced the end of the "five suspensions," including Chaozhou, Shanwei, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Dongguan and Guangzhou.

The Guangzhou Emergency Management said on its WeChat account that after consultation with relevant departments that the impact of Ragasa on the city had significantly weakened and moved away. With government approval, the city's headquarters for flood, drought and wind control decided to lift the "five suspensions" across Guangzhou starting from 6 pm on September 24. Districts, industries, and residents were instructed to resume work and daily life in an orderly and safe manner.

However, fishing vessels and offshore construction will remain suspended, with specific timings to be notified later by the competent authorities. Residents relocated from low-lying areas, slopes, or unsafe housing were urged to follow management instructions and "not return unless safety is guaranteed."

The notice also called on all citizens and visitors in Guangzhou to stay alert to follow-up weather warnings and maintain precautionary measures to ensure personal safety.

The Shenzhen Airport announced it would resume flights from 8 pm Wednesday as Ragasa moved away and its impact weakened. Some flights had already departed from other airports bound for Shenzhen, with more expected to arrive around 8 pm.

Although the typhoon has weakened, its earlier impact was severe. According to the latest report from Taiwan's disaster response center, as of 5 pm on Wednesday, Ragasa left 17 people dead, 32 injured and 17 missing on the island, CCTV said.

The typhoon has brought heavy rainfall. In Taiwan's Hualien County, an overflowing barrier lake destroyed a bridge and flooded Guangfu Township on Tuesday. On Monday, about 1,800 households across 12 villages were evacuated. In Pingtung's mountains, 145 people were evacuated as waterlogged roads and landslides disrupted the area, CCTV News reported.

On Wednesday morning in Hong Kong, huge waves surged into the lobby of the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel in Aberdeen, shattering the glass doors and flooding the lobby as Ragasa moved away. No one was injured, though the lobby and the driveway outside were left covered in mud and shattered glass, local outlet HK01 reported.

Before Ragasa's landfall, Guangdong stepped up preparedness efforts. Data from the provincial emergency management department showed that as of 5:30 pm on the Tuesday, a total of 1,044,215 people had been evacuated in advance, Xinhua News Agency reported.

A Shenzhen resident surnamed Song told the Global Times on Wednesday that some friends without safe housing were moved to schools serving as temporary shelters. He added that on Tuesday, after the "five suspensions" were announced, he saw road crews securing trees prone to toppling. on his way home.

The Shenzhen Emergency Management's WeChat account published the locations of all indoor emergency shelters citywide, allowing residents in need to go directly. Song added that this felt very reassuring and thoughtful, giving a strong sense of safety.