Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm of 2025 in the Northwest Pacific, is intensifying as it heads northwest toward southern China. With sustained winds reaching levels of 16–17, the typhoon is expected to cross the Bashi Channel into the South China Sea late on September 22 and approach the coast between western Guangdong and eastern Hainan by September 24–25.
From September 23 to 26, eastern Guangdong and areas east of the Pearl River Estuary are expected to experience strong gusts of level 7-9 and heavy rainfall, capable of toppling trees and causing local damage. Coastal waters will see typhoon-force winds, with vessels advised to return to port and secure equipment.
Forecasters warn that Ragasa's proximity to shore may result in multiple landfalls, making exact timing and location uncertain. Guangdong authorities urge residents and businesses to prepare for extreme weather, including heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds.
Weather forecast：
September 23: Eastern Guangdong, central-southern Pearl River Delta, southern Meizhou, and southern Heyuan could see torrential to extreme rainfall, while other areas experience cloudy conditions and occasional showers. Gusts during thunderstorms may reach levels of 8–10.
September 24: Eastern Guangdong, the Pearl River Delta, and western Guangdong may see torrential to extreme rain, while northern counties experience heavy to very heavy rain.
Super typhoon triggers suspension of all trains in Guangdong on Sept. 24
As Super Typhoon "Ragasa" approaches, the China Railway Guangzhou Group has adjusted train operations to ensure safety. The specific arrangements are as follows:
From 12:00 on September 23: High-speed and regular trains within Guangdong will be suspended in stages, with the suspension schedule adjusted according to the typhoon's impact.
All day on September 24: All high-speed and regular trains in Guangdong will be suspended.
From the early hours of September 25: Train services will be gradually resumed based on the weakening of the typhoon.
Passengers who receive suspension notifications via SMS or the 12306 website (or app) can apply for a full refund within 30 days (including the day of departure) through the 12306 platform or at railway station ticket counters. No refund fees will be charged for train suspensions.
Cities to suspend school and production in response to approaching typhoon
Guangdong Province in south China on Monday raised its wind emergency response to Level II, with two cities announcing a series of suspension measures, as Typhoon Ragasa approaches.
The Level II response, the second-highest in China's four-tier warning system, was activated at 10 a.m. on Monday.
Schools will suspend classes starting Tuesday in the cities of Zhuhai and Jiangmen -- while work, production, public transport and business operations will also be suspended later on Tuesday, according to the local flood, drought and wind control headquarters.
All passenger ferry services to the Chuanshan Islands in Jiangmen will be suspended starting Tuesday, as the wind speed may reach about 20 meters per second in the nearby sea area.
As of 10 a.m. Monday, the maritime safety administration of the province had relocated over 10,000 coastal vessels across the province to safe waters for shelter.
Typhoon Ragasa, the 18th typhoon of 2025, is forecast to likely make landfall along the central or western coastal areas of Guangdong on Wednesday as a strong or super strong typhoon -- and severely affect the province from Tuesday to Thursday, the provincial meteorological observatory said.