Hong Kong is bracing for a powerful super typhoon. Authorities have made a big decision: closing down its international airport for 36 hours. This temporary shutdown starts Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM, lasting until Thursday morning at 8:00 AM. It’s a safety measure for passengers and staff as the city prepares for Typhoon Ragasa.
Typhoon Ragasa is one of the fiercest storms expected in years. Its arrival means massive travel chaos. Over 500 passenger flights will be called off. Cathay Pacific, a major carrier, confirmed these cancellations. They expect all incoming and outgoing flights to stop by Tuesday 6:00 PM, hoping to restart by midday Thursday.
Other airlines are also adjusting. Qantas issued a statement, promising to contact affected travelers directly. Hong Kong Airlines said they are watching the situation closely and have begun their storm plans. They have not yet made an official announcement about the airport closure.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Observatory, the city’s weather agency, has been raising the alarm. They issued a low-level typhoon signal midday Monday. This escalated to a Level 8 warning – the second-highest alert – by Monday night, between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
The weather will get much worse very quickly, starting Tuesday. By Wednesday, strong tropical storm and typhoon-force winds will hit the city. Places offshore and on higher ground could even see hurricane-level gusts.
Across Hong Kong, people began preparing early Monday. Supermarkets saw long lines. Shelves quickly emptied of essentials like milk. Fresh vegetable prices at local markets shot up, sometimes tripling their normal cost.
This powerful storm isn’t just a challenge for Hong Kong. The Philippines has also felt its looming presence. Schools and government offices across Manila and several provinces closed on Monday. Typhoon Ragasa is making its way toward the northern part of Luzon, bringing heavy rain and strong winds there too.
Source: channelnewsasia