Southern China Closes Schools, Cancels Flights as Ragasa Approaches

(GUANGDONG (NEAR ZHUHAI AND ZHANJIANG)) Southern China shut schools, halted many businesses, and grounded flights on Tuesday as Super Typhoon Ragasa pushed toward the coast, with authorities warning of life‑threatening winds and storm surge as landfall is forecast between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang in Guangdong from midday to evening Wednesday. Officials in Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and across Guangdong ordered mass evacuations from flood‑prone zones and confirmed a rare 36‑hour shutdown of Hong Kong International Airport, the longest in its history, from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.

More than 700 flights were cancelled in Hong Kong alone, including about 500 by Cathay Pacific, 100 by HK Express, 90 by Hong Kong Airlines, and at least 23 by Greater Bay Airlines, according to airport notices. Train and ferry operations faced widespread disruption along the Pearl River Delta as winds strengthened and sea levels rose ahead of expected storm surge that forecasters say could reach up to 5 meters along parts of the coast.

Authorities said all schools in Hong Kong, Macau, and Shenzhen would remain closed Tuesday and Wednesday, while many offices and factories scaled back or suspended operations. Shenzhen ordered the evacuation of 400,000 people from low‑lying districts, opened emergency shelters, and asked residents to stock food, water, and medicine. Local officials warned that further evacuations may be needed if Ragasa’s track shifts or if flood barriers are overtopped during peak tides.

The Hong Kong Observatory hoisted the No. 9 storm signal, the second‑highest warning under the city’s system, and said an upgrade to the No. 10 signal was possible if wind fields expand or the typhoon jogs closer to the territory. Maximum sustained winds near the storm’s core were estimated at 220–230 km/h (137–143 mph), with gusts reported up to 270 km/h (168 mph) earlier in the Philippines. Emergency services remain on high alert, and authorities urged the public to stay indoors and avoid seafronts, breakwaters, and underpasses.

The human cost has already been felt upstream of Ragasa’s current path. The storm killed at least five people and displaced thousands in the Philippines and Taiwan, where heavy rain triggered landslides, cut power, and damaged roads and bridges. As bands of rain spread into Guangdong, local rescue teams pre‑positioned boats and high‑water vehicles, while hospitals stocked backup generators and oxygen supplies to maintain care during outages.

Travel and immigration disruptions

The prolonged closure of Hong Kong’s main airport is causing a spillover across the region. Travelers bound for Hong Kong or transiting through the hub should expect knock‑on cancellations through late week. Airlines advised passengers not to go to the terminals during the shutdown and to use online channels to rebook.

With ferries and cross‑border coaches curtailed, same‑day trips between Guangdong cities and Hong Kong will be difficult, if not impossible, until winds ease and safety checks are completed.

For foreign residents, job‑seekers, and students, the closures mean missed flights, postponed interviews, and delayed school returns. Visa applicants may face canceled consular or service‑center appointments. Offices often follow local weather closures, so slots booked for Tuesday or Wednesday are likely to be rescheduled automatically once operations resume. Keep confirmation emails and any proof of travel disruption for fee waiver or change requests.

In past severe storms, agencies have offered flexible rebooking; similar steps are likely as operations restart, though each office sets its own rules. Applicants with time‑sensitive steps—such as collecting passports, giving biometrics, or submitting original documents—should watch for service notices. People whose permission to stay or exit permits expire during the shutdown should document the disruption and contact the issuing authority as soon as communications return.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, authorities commonly adopt a practical approach after major weather events, prioritizing safety and restoring core services before handling backlog case‑by‑case.

Those already in Guangdong on work or family permits should check with employers and schools about revised reporting dates. Many companies will shift to remote work until public transport restarts. If you must move, carry passports, permits, and basic medication in a waterproof pouch, and let your contacts know your route and expected arrival time. Do not attempt coastal shortcuts; storm surge and debris can make familiar roads dangerous.

What residents and cross‑border workers can do now

Key safety actions — follow official guidance, prepare for outages, and document any travel/immigration disruption.

• Follow official warnings from the Hong Kong Observatory and local emergency offices. Heed any orders to evacuate or avoid designated danger zones.
• Stay off seafronts, piers, and low‑lying roads. Storm surge up to 5 meters can sweep people and vehicles away.
• Keep phones charged and power banks ready. Turn on emergency alerts.
• Prepare a go‑bag with water, snacks, medicines, copies of IDs, and spare clothing in case your building floods.
• If you have flights in or out of Hong Kong through Thursday morning, treat them as likely canceled. Rebook online and avoid traveling to the airport during the shutdown.
• For visa or consular matters, monitor email and official notices. Save proof of cancellations to support rescheduling requests.

Risks to infrastructure, logistics, and daily life

Ragasa’s timing, strength, and large wind field set up a hard test for southern China’s coastal defenses. Flood maps for the Pearl River Delta show exposure in parts of Zhuhai and Jiangmen, while seawalls near fishing ports could face repeated battering as the eye approaches.

Even inland towns can flood if feeder bands stall, sending water into rivers and drains. Landslides remain a risk in hilly districts after hours of heavy rain.

Logistical chains are already feeling stress. With trucks idled and depots closed, perishable goods and medical supplies may arrive late. Port closures ripple into factories that depend on just‑in‑time components. Families split across the boundary—common for cross‑border workers—could remain apart for days until roads clear and transport resumes. Parents should expect school term changes and replacement exam dates, especially in Hong Kong where the closures cover multiple days.

Officials said emergency shelters would remain open until after landfall and initial safety checks. Urban search‑and‑rescue units placed swift‑water teams at known flood hot spots, and power crews staged near substations to shorten restoration times after winds ease. Still, residents should plan for extended outages and simple meals without cooking gas.

• Use generators outdoors only, and never in enclosed spaces.
• Keep emergency supplies accessible and water stored for several days.
• Expect staggered power restoration as crews prioritize critical infrastructure.

Airlines warned that even after the storm passes, aircraft and runway inspections take time, and crews must be repositioned. That means a slow restart and continued rollover cancellations. Travelers with onward connections through other hubs should build in extra time and confirm minimum connection windows once new itineraries are issued.

Immediate safety orders and final advice

The next 24 hours will decide whether Ragasa makes a direct hit on the coastline between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang or tracks slightly west, but officials stressed the difference will matter little for those near the eyewall. The order remains clear: stay inside, keep windows latched, and move to interior rooms if glass starts to flex. Water can rise fast; do not wait if told to leave.

Residents seeking the latest signals and rain warnings should check the official bulletins posted by the Hong Kong Observatory. Authorities will update wind signals, rainstorm alerts, and landslip warnings as the situation evolves. Emergency services asked the public to reserve hotlines for urgent cases while using online platforms for general updates.

As Super Typhoon Ragasa closes in, the region’s caution reflects hard lessons from past storms: early closures save lives, and clear communication helps people plan. For migrants, students, and families who cross between Guangdong and Hong Kong, the coming days will be about patience, safety, and careful record‑keeping so that travel and immigration matters can be put back on track once the winds fall and the water pulls back.