3 w. ago At least 11 injured as 5.6 magnitude quake hits China’s Gansu province

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck China’s northwestern Gansu province on Saturday morning, injuring at least 11 people and prompting the urgent evacuation of nearly 8,000 residents as emergency crews responded to the disaster. Rescue teams said 17 houses had collapsed and close to 4,000 others had been damaged, according to state broadcaster CCTV. There are no reports of any fatalities. According to China’s Ministry of Emergency Management, central authorities have activated a level-four...

Events

3 w. ago Why Hong Kong idol Nicholas Tse photos used as ‘typhoon amulets’ during Ragasa

Hong Kong entertainment idol Nicholas Tse Ting-fung has notched up a new claim to fame as a lucky charm in the face of extreme weather. When Super Typhoon Ragasa approached Hong Kong and southern China, residents found a new way to protect themselves, attaching a picture of the star to their exposed windows. The reason? In Cantonese and Mandarin, Tse’s name sounds like a phrase meaning “thanks for stopping the wind”, Jimu News reported. As a result, as well as using adhesive tape to criss-cross...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong aims to curb storm chasing after mother, son hospitalised during Ragasa

Hong Kong’s security chief will consider new legislation to curb storm chasing after a woman and her five-year-old son were left hospitalised in intensive care by a strong wave that swept them into the sea as Super Typhoon Ragasa approached the city. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung also warned on Thursday that bringing children to such dangerous activities could constitute neglect. Tang vowed to review existing legislation addressing storm chasing and consider enacting new laws, as...

Events

4 w. ago Super Typhoon Rose claims 110 lives in Hong Kong in 1971 – SCMP archive

As Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches Hong Kong, we take a look at SCMP’s coverage of some of the worst storms the city has experienced. Click here to read more. Typhoon causes collapse in new housing estate By Staff Reporter This article was first published on August 17, 1971 The most powerful typhoon to strike for three years swirled through Hong Kong this morning, plunging Kowloon into blackness for more than two hours, causing houses to collapse and threatening extensive flooding in low-lying...

Politics

4 w. ago How you can prepare for a super typhoon as Ragasa approaches Hong Kong

Hong Kong and its neighbouring areas are on high alert as Super Typhoon Ragasa makes its way to the city, poised to bring strong winds, heavy rain and severe storm surges. The cyclone is forecast to be closest to the city on Wednesday morning, with the Hong Kong Observatory warning that winds may reach hurricane force offshore and on high ground by then. Hurricane-force winds refer to those that maintain a speed of at least 118km/h (73.3mph). The Observatory will raise its highest No 10 typhoon...

Politics

4 w. ago How you can prepare for a super typhoon as Ragasa batters Hong Kong

Hong Kong and its neighbouring areas are on high alert as Super Typhoon Ragasa makes its way to the city, poised to bring strong winds, heavy rain and severe storm surges. The cyclone is forecast to be closest to the city on Wednesday morning, with the Hong Kong Observatory warning that winds may reach hurricane force offshore and on high ground by then. Hurricane-force winds refer to those that maintain a speed of at least 118km/h (73.3mph). The Observatory will raise its highest No 10 typhoon...

Politics

4 w. ago Satellite imagery timelapse shows Typhoon Ragasa as it approaches southern China

Satellite imagery timelapse shows Typhoon Ragasa as it approaches southern China  AP News

Politics

4 w. ago SpotNews | Cities in South China brace for approaching super typhoon Ragasa

SpotNews | Cities in South China brace for approaching super typhoon Ragasa  Big News Network.com

Politics

4 w. ago Many stranded at Hong Kong airport after last flight departs at 6pm on Tuesday

Some air travellers took their last chance to fly out of Hong Kong at 6pm on Tuesday before most airlines suspended flights due to the approaching Super Typhoon Ragasa, while others remain stuck at the airport and plan to stay overnight. A total of 382 flights have been cancelled and 43 delayed as of 10.30am on Tuesday at Hong Kong International Airport, according to the Airport Authority. A check on the airport website by the Post found that no flights were scheduled between 6pm and midnight....

Transport

4 w. ago Many stranded at Hong Kong airport after last flight departs at 6pm

Some air travellers took their last chance to fly out of Hong Kong at 6pm on Tuesday before most airlines suspended flights due to the approaching Super Typhoon Ragasa, while others remained stuck at the airport and planned to stay overnight. The Airport Authority said it handled 600 scheduled flights on Tuesday, about half of its daily average of 1,100. A check on the airport’s website found that no flights were scheduled between 6pm and midnight. The last flight was bound for Ningbo and taking...

Transport

4 w. ago Southern China cancels schools and flights as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches

Southern China cancels schools and flights as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches  AP News

Politics

4 w. ago China issues dual red alerts as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches Guangdong

China issues dual red alerts as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches Guangdong  Anadolu Ajansı

Events

4 w. ago When Typhoon Hope battered Hong Kong in 1979, killing 12 people – SCMP archive

As Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches Hong Kong, we take a look at SCMP’s coverage of some of the worst storms the city has experienced. Click here to read more. Great mop-up is under way by Staff Reporters This article was first published on August 3, 1979 Threats of widespread landslides and flooding hang over Hong Kong today as it licks its wounds from Typhoon Hope. Weathermen have forecast heavy rains – totalling about 100 mm – in the wake of the strongest typhoon in eight years. Mopping-up...

Events

4 w. ago As Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches, here are Hong Kong’s biggest storms

Hong Kong is bracing for the approach of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which falls into the category of storms with maximum sustained wind speeds of 185km/h (115mph) or above near their centres. The passage of Ragasa, a Filipino word meaning rapid or fast motion, will be the latest in a line of superstorms that have struck the city over the decades. The Post looks back at the past seven super typhoons that have triggered a No 10 signal, the city’s highest storm warning, since records began in 1946. 1....

Events

4 w. ago Philippine protests: voices mark moral outrage in ‘dangerous, hopeful’ period

Mass protests swept across the Philippines as Super Typhoon Ragasa approached, with citizens from all walks of life venting outrage at deepening corruption, particularly over the alleged plunder of funds from flood control projects meant to shield communities from disasters. The demonstrations in cities across the country that took place on Sunday – loosely organised through social media, university groups, churches and word of mouth – marked perhaps the country’s largest protests in years...

Events

4 w. ago Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific warns of ‘significant’ impact on operations from Ragasa

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has warned of a “significant” impact on its operations arising from approaching Super Typhoon Ragasa, which has forced it to cancel more than 500 flights and park some aircraft out of the city. The airline said on Monday night all inbound and outbound flights between 6pm Tuesday and 6am Thursday were cancelled. Also cancelled were some long-haul outbound flights from Hong Kong on Tuesday morning, including CX383 to Zurich, CX880 to Los Angeles and...

Events

last month Passengers rush to rearrange flights at Hong Kong airport as Ragasa approaches

Travellers have started preparing for the onslaught of Super Typhoon Ragasa, with some arriving at Hong Kong International Airport up to two days early on Monday to reschedule flights as all local airlines announced cancellations of most departures starting Tuesday evening. At least 700 flights are set to be cancelled by Hong Kong’s four airlines alone, due to Ragasa – a Filipino word meaning rapid or fast action. Hannah Li and Kirill Bordashevich, both in their 20s, were among hundreds of...

Society

last month Hong Kong shopkeepers prepare for Ragasa, while over 100 households evacuate Tai O

Shopkeepers in Hong Kong’s flood-prone areas have taken pre-emptive measures to protect themselves against the approaching super typhoon Ragasa, while over 100 households in Tai O have been evacuated as the government stepped up assistance to minimise potential damage. Authorities warned on Monday that severe flooding would hit low-lying areas such as Lei Yue Mun in eastern Kowloon, Tai O on western Lantau Island and Tai Po in the eastern New Territories as Ragasa – a Filipino word meaning rapid...

Society

last month Hong Kong shopkeepers prepare for Ragasa; 100 households evacuated from Tai O

Shopkeepers in Hong Kong’s flood-prone areas have taken pre-emptive measures to protect themselves against the approaching Super Typhoon Ragasa, while more than 100 households in Tai O have been evacuated as the government stepped up efforts to minimise potential damage. Authorities warned on Monday that severe flooding would hit low-lying areas such as Lei Yue Mun in eastern Kowloon, Tai O on western Lantau Island and Tai Po in the eastern New Territories as Ragasa – a Filipino word meaning...

Society

last month Hongkongers rush to stock up on essentials as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches

Hong Kong residents flocked to wet markets and supermarkets, eager to stock up on food and supplies ahead of the rapidly approaching Super Typhoon Ragasa, with one shopper comparing the rush to that seen during Lunar New Year. From baked goods and fresh vegetables to poultry and meat, many shoppers were storing food to meet their needs for the whole week after the Hong Kong Observatory warned the storm would severely affect the city in next two days. At one bakery, located in the basement food...

Politics