Super Typhoon Ragasa Strikes Hong Kong and Southern China

SEP 23·UPDATED SEP 23

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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.

Asian Development Bank Voice of America

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.

FairPlanet