GUANGDONG, CHINA — Typhoon Rogasa slammed into China’s southern coast on Wednesday, unleashing winds of up to 145 km/h, torrential rains, and towering waves as it made landfall near Yangjiang city in Guangdong province.
The storm first entered the South China Sea on Monday, rapidly intensifying before skirting Hong Kong and striking China’s most populous and economically vital province. Authorities say nearly 1.9 million residents across Guangdong were evacuated, with schools, factories, and transportation networks suspended in more than a dozen cities.
In Shenzhen, fallen debris blocked roads, while in Macau, floodwaters rose to 1.5 meters in low-lying districts. Power was preemptively cut in some neighborhoods as a safety measure. Port authorities evacuated ships and secured coastal equipment before landfall.
Despite the damage, some residents praised the swift government response, noting that electricity and water supplies in major cities were largely maintained.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong reported winds of up to 195 km/h, uprooted trees, flooded parks, and at least 80 injuries. The Hong Kong Observatory ranked Rogasa as a super typhoon, placing it among the strongest storms in the South China Sea since 1950, tied with Saola (2023) and Yagi (2024).
In Taiwan, Rogasa triggered a barrier lake burst in Hualien County, leaving at least 40 dead and 46 injured. Over 7,000 residents were evacuated.
As Rogasa pushes west into Guangxi province, Chinese authorities warn of continued risks of flooding and landslides, urging residents to remain indoors and follow official guidance.
