Typhoon Ragasa Weakens Over Vietnam but Heavy Rains and Flood Risks Continue Across Northern Provinces

HANOI, Vietnam — Sept-25-2025, 14:00 EDT

Typhoon Ragasa weakened into a tropical depression early Thursday after moving into northeastern Vietnam, but authorities cautioned that the storm will continue to bring heavy rainfall and flood risks across northern provinces. Although its winds dropped significantly, officials urged caution as the system remains a threat to infrastructure, agriculture, and communities in vulnerable areas.

Storm Weakens but Rainfall Threat Persists

By Thursday afternoon, Ragasa’s maximum sustained winds had slowed to 55 kilometers per hour (34 mph), according to Vietnam’s national weather agency. Meteorologists forecast the storm to gradually dissipate but warned it could still dump large amounts of rain in northern and central Vietnam.

Local governments were placed on alert for flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging in low-lying regions. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính instructed ministries to safeguard dams, hospitals, and essential infrastructure while coordinating evacuation plans and search-and-rescue teams.

Preparedness Measures Across Northern Vietnam

Airlines canceled or rescheduled flights, while local crews cut down tree branches to reduce hazards from gusty winds. Fishing vessels were secured in harbors, and emergency response teams were mobilized to assist residents in at-risk zones.

The government emphasized proactive disaster prevention, noting that communities in mountainous and river-adjacent areas face the highest risks of flooding and landslides.

Another Storm on the Horizon

Even as Ragasa weakens, regional forecasters are tracking another tropical system. Storm Bualoi, named Opong in the Philippines, is expected to make landfall in the eastern and central Philippines on Friday. With sustained winds of up to 110 kilometers per hour (68 mph) and stronger gusts, it could intensify before potentially moving toward central Vietnam or the country’s northeast coastline.

Officials said monitoring efforts are underway to prepare for the possibility of consecutive storms hitting the region.

Impact in China’s Guangdong Province

Before reaching Vietnam, Ragasa caused widespread damage in southern China. In Yangjiang city, more than 10,000 trees were damaged, and streets were submerged under floodwaters. Excavators were deployed to clear debris and reopen blocked roads, local outlet Yangjiang Daily reported.

Nearly half a million households lost power across Guangdong province, with a third still without electricity by Thursday morning, according to state media. In Zhuhai city, floodwaters turned residential neighborhoods into canals, forcing rescuers to use inflatable boats to reach stranded residents.

Communication lines with some islands in Jiangmen city were also cut, Southern Weekly noted, leaving officials scrambling to restore access.

Emergency Response Across Southern China

In neighboring Guangxi region, authorities closed schools, halted tourism activities, and suspended businesses in several cities as precautionary measures. Ahead of Ragasa’s landfall, more than two million residents were relocated across Guangdong, according to government data.

At its peak on Monday, Ragasa reached supertyphoon strength with winds of 265 kilometers per hour (165 mph), making it the world’s most powerful cyclone of 2025 to date.

Gradual Return to Normal in Hong Kong and Shenzhen

In Hong Kong, where more than 1,200 trees were toppled earlier in the week, cleanup operations continued Thursday. Streets remained littered with large branches even as flights resumed after disruptions that affected nearly 140,000 passengers. About 100 people were hospitalized due to storm-related injuries, local authorities reported.

Businesses in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen reopened, with transport and commercial activity steadily returning to normal after days of shutdowns.

Taiwan Reports Severe Losses

Taiwan’s authorities revised the country’s death toll to 14 after confirming duplicate counts in earlier reports. Most fatalities occurred in Hualien County, where torrential rainfall caused a barrier lake to overflow, flooding Guangfu township. The deluge destroyed a bridge and swept away vehicles and household items.

President Lai Ching-te visited Hualien on Thursday, offering condolences to victims’ families and pledging government support for recovery. Dozens of people remain unaccounted for, and more than 40 were injured during the storm, officials said.

Death Toll in the Philippines

In the Philippines, Ragasa left at least 11 people dead, including seven fishermen who drowned when their boat capsized in Cagayan province. Local authorities said two fishermen remain missing as search operations continue.

Regional Storm Preparedness Remains Crucial

Authorities across Southeast Asia are emphasizing long-term disaster preparedness as climate change continues to intensify storms in the region. Vietnam’s disaster management officials stressed that effective coordination, early evacuation, and infrastructure protection remain critical in minimizing damage from severe weather events.