CHINA is preparing for a super typhoon dubbed the “King of Storms” as hundreds of thousands of people are evacuated.
The world’s biggest typhoon this year is set to whirl up winds of 137mph down China’s southern coast.
People watch huge waves crashing, as Super Typhoon Ragasa peripheral brings in rain in the region, in Orchid Island, Taitung County, Taiwan
Hong Kong has been forced to upgrade its typhoon warning to eight – the third highest level – as Super Typhoon Ragasa strikes
People place sandbags outside shops and homes as precautionary measures against Typhoon Ragasa at Lei Yue Mun, in Hong Kong, China
Workers cut off tree branches along a road in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China
Hong Kong has been forced to upgrade its typhoon warning to eight – the third highest level – as Super Typhoon Ragasa strikes.
Chinese authorities are urging people to stay at home, while schools have been closed and Hong Kong International Airport said it expects “significant disruption to flight operations” until Thursday.
Officials have would be among the most destructive in the city’s recent history.
Over 500 Cathay Pacific flights are understood to be cancelled.
Tens of millions of people are expected to be affected by the as businesses and schools close in at least 10 cities across the south of China.
Panic buying has set in across Hong Kong with very little left on supermarket shelves following concerns stores could be closed for two days.
Businesses in southern China have closed their doors to customers while owners were spotted piling sandbags in front of their stores in preparation of severe damage and tidal surges.
According to Hong Kong’s weather service, the typhoon will maintain winds of 137 miles per hour near its centre as it shifts west across the South China Sea.
Experts suggest its powerful intensity will remain as it edges closer to the coast of Guangdong – before striking Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan.
At 2:20pm local time on Tuesday, Hong Kong Observatory issued its third-highest typhoon warning, T8.
Thousands of workers raced home as the T8 signal was announced while bus workers confirmed there will be a reduction in services later today.
Ragasa’s destruction has already started to take shape with toppled trees and blown off roofs in the north of the Philippines.
At least two people have been killed in a landslide where thousands sought shelter in schools and evacuation centres as the super typhoon hit.
Overnight, at least six people were injured and more than 100 international flights cancelled in Taiwan.
The Observatory said Ragasa, “has an extensive circulation with fierce winds.
“The weather is expected to start deteriorating rapidly later today, with winds strengthening quickly.”
It added that “significant” storm surge could trigger levels to rise up to four metres by Wednesday morning.
Eric Chan, Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary for Administration “poses a serious threat” to the region, compared to two other destructive in 2017 and 2018.
Ragasa – which is named after the Filipino word for rapid motion – is set to make landfall in the central and western coastal areas of Guangdong within 24 hours.
Within the province of Guangdong, areas including Chaozhou, Zhuhai, Dongguan and Foshan have also implemented measures.
Student Lilly Rober said her plans to travel back to Japan were changed when her flight was delayed.
“We had to book a new hotel here, which also costs us some money so we are kind of really disappointed,” the 24-year-old said at Hong Kong airport on Tuesday morning.
People holding umbrellas struggle against heavy rains and strong wind in Metro Manila, Philippines
Heavy rains and strong winds are felt in Metro Manila, as Super Typhoon Ragasa slashes the Southeast Asian archipelagic country
Motorists wade through a flooded road, following heavy rains intensified by Super Typhoon Ragasa, in Apalit, Pampanga province, Philippines
Passengers look at an information display board showing cancelled flights at the Hong Kong International Airport 
