China shuts 10 cities as Super Typhoon Ragasa nears Guangdong

China has ordered the closure of schools and businesses in at least 10 cities as Super Typhoon Ragasa barrels towards its southern coast.

The storm, packing winds of up to 230 kilometres per hour, is expected to make landfall within 24 hours in central and western coastal parts of Guangdong Province, authorities said yesterday.

Emergency management officials in Guangdong raised the windstorm alert to its highest level, warning that the typhoon posed a grave threat to lives and property.

The technology hub of Shenzhen has directed the evacuation of 400,000 residents, while also announcing suspension of work and markets from the afternoon.

“Except for emergency rescue personnel and those ensuring people’s livelihoods, please do not go out casually,” city authorities cautioned.

Other major cities implementing shutdown measures include Zhuhai, Dongguan and Foshan. Foshan’s emergency headquarters said the storm would bring “strong winds and heavy rainfall that severely impact the city, posing a critical defence situation.”

The typhoon is currently moving across the South China Sea after lashing parts of the Philippines, where it left one person dead.

China’s state broadcaster CCTV also warned vessels in the northern South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, Bashi Channel and Guangdong coastal waters to exercise maximum caution.

Experts say climate change is intensifying the frequency and ferocity of storms across the world.