Hong Kong: Airlines are grounding flights and residents are rushing to prepare as Super Typhoon Ragasa barrels toward Hong Kong, threatening to be one of the strongest storms to hit the city in years.
Qantas announced it will suspend all flights to and from Hong Kong for 36 hours, with operations halted from 8 p.m. on September 23 until 8 a.m. on September 25. The carrier said affected passengers will be contacted directly.
Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific said it expects to cancel more than 500 flights. From 6 p.m. Tuesday, all passenger services in and out of Hong Kong International Airport will cease, with flights scheduled to resume during daylight hours on Thursday.
Ragasa is currently crossing the Luzon Strait between southern Taiwan and the northern Philippines, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain. The storm is forecast to strike Hong Kong and southern China on Tuesday, with conditions worsening rapidly from that evening.
Forecasters warn of gale‑force winds on Wednesday, with hurricane‑strength gusts expected offshore and in elevated areas. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors and prepare for possible flooding and power outages.
Across the city, supermarkets and fresh markets saw long queues on Monday as residents stocked up on food, water, and essential supplies.
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