• Super Typhoon Ragasa has led to the evacuation of thousands in the Philippines and Taiwan.
• Maximum sustained winds reached up to 265 km/h, with a high risk of life-threatening storm surge.
• Authorities warn of severe flooding and landslides, particularly in northern areas of Luzon.
• The storm is expected to impact southern China and Hong Kong within the next few days.
• The Philippines faces ongoing challenges with flood control infrastructure amidst a corruption scandal.

As Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches, the Philippines and Taiwan have initiated mass evacuations. In the Philippines alone, over 10,000 individuals have been moved to evacuation centers, primarily in the northern provinces, as the storm bears down with wind gusts reaching 265 km/h. The typhoon is expected to make landfall on the Babuyan Islands, just south of the main island of Luzon, threatening catastrophic damage and life-threatening storm surges, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

Local officials have expressed serious concerns regarding the potential for "catastrophic" flooding and landslides, particularly in areas already grappling with inadequate flood control infrastructure. The Philippine weather agency has warned of peak storm surge heights exceeding 3 meters, placing coastal communities in great danger, as highlighted by BBC and TRT Global.

Meanwhile, in Taiwan, nearly 300 people have been evacuated from Hualien County as a precautionary measure. Despite not being directly in the path of Ragasa, significant rainfall and rough seas are anticipated to affect the island, prompting closures of schools and transport services, according to Channel News Asia and Newsweek.

As Ragasa moves toward southern China, authorities in Guangdong have already begun preparations for the storm, forecasting significant impacts starting Tuesday. Reports indicate that Shenzhen plans to evacuate 400,000 residents in anticipation of severe weather, emphasizing the need for thorough emergency response measures in light of human-driven climate change's effects on storm intensity, as reported by South China Morning Post and Newsweek.

The storm has intensified fears and frustrations in the Philippines, where a recent corruption scandal involving flood control measures has brought to light the government's failure to adequately prepare for such disasters. Mass protests preceding the storm reflect public outrage over the situation, as noted by BBC and TRT Global.