Typhoon Ragasa: Hong Kong, southern China brace for powerful typhoon after it batters the Philippines as super typhoon
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Super Typhoon Ragasa Strikes Hong Kong and Southern China
Above: Metro Manila, Philippines Sept. 23, 2025 during the impact of Typhoon Ragasa. Image copyright: Daniel Ceng/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
As Super Typhoon Ragasa — 2025's most powerful storm — bears down with 220 kph winds, East Asia's nations showcase exemplary disaster preparedness. From Hong Kong's proactive airport closures to the Philippines' swift 10,000-person evacuations, coordinated early warning systems, cross-border cooperation, and community-based resilience networks demonstrate how experience transforms vulnerability into strength, saving countless lives through decisive, unified action.
Narrative B
As Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches with devastating force, East Asia's disaster management reveals critical failures: unplanned urbanization persists despite $2 trillion in historical losses, building codes remain inadequate, coastal developments continue unchecked, and resilient infrastructure investment lags at merely 2-4% of project costs. Rural communities face repeated cycles of destruction and debt while urban centers prioritize growth over disaster resilience.