Evacuations Begin as Typhoon Ragasa Near Philippines

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Life in parts of the Philippines was disrupted on Monday as authorities suspended work and families took shelter in evacuation centers ahead of Super Typhoon Ragasa's landing in northern Luzon.

According to the national weather service, winds of up to 215 kph (134 mph) and gusts of up to 265 kph were recorded as of 8 a.m. local time (0000 GMT).

Typhoon Warning for Babuyan Islands

Authorities have warned of heavy flooding, landslides and widespread power outages. Evacuations were underway in coastal and low-lying areas, and dozens of domestic flights and ferry services were cancelled.

Schools and government offices were closed in the Manila region and across 29 Philippine provinces.

The highest typhoon warning was raised for the remote Babuyan Islands, where Ragasa is expected to make landfall around midday. Officials urged residents there to evacuate to higher ground.

"We are now experiencing strong winds here in northern Cagayan," provincial disaster chief Rueli Rapsing told the AFP news agency. He added that they were prepared for "the worst."

Hong Kong to Halt All Passenger Flights

Ragasa, one of the strongest storms to hit the region in years, is expected to cross the Luzon Strait toward southern China.

Taiwan has issued land and sea warnings, canceled flights to eastern cities, and begun small-scale evacuations in mountainous areas, local fire department officer James Wu told AFP.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong is bracing for Ragasa and planning to halt all passenger flights for 36 hours starting Tuesday, Bloomberg News reported.

The report said that all flights from 6 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Thursday may be suspended as Typhoon Ragasa advances.

Scientists warn that storms are becoming more powerful as the world warms due to the effects of human-driven climate change.

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