As of 8 a.m. today, super typhoon Ragasa had sustained winds of 215 km/h near its center and gusts of 265 km/h, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Strong winds were already impacting Cagayan province in the northernmost part of Luzon island, said Rueli Rapsing, director of the province's disaster response agency.

"We are prepared for the worst-case scenario. Because the super typhoon will sweep through Calayan town, we are focusing on that area," he said.

Schools and government offices in the capital region of Manila and 29 provinces across the country have been closed due to forecasts of heavy rain. Meteorologist John Grender Almario said "severe flooding and landslides" are possible in northern Luzon.

Heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas in Aparri town, Cagayan province, northern Philippines due to the impact of super typhoon Ragasa on 22/9. Photo: *AFP*

PAGASA has raised the typhoon warning to its highest level for the Babuyan Islands in the north, urging residents in low-lying and coastal areas to evacuate due to the risk of storm surge and flooding. Hundreds of families have been moved to schools or evacuation centers.

Ragasa is forecast to make landfall or pass over the Babuyan Islands around midday on 22/9, before crossing the Luzon Strait and entering the South China Sea.

Philippine weather forecasters warn of widespread power outages, landslides, and rough seas as the outer bands of the typhoon sweep across northern Luzon. Airlines have canceled dozens of domestic flights, mainly to and from Luzon, while several seaports have suspended ferry services.

While the typhoon isn't expected to directly hit Taiwan, its outer bands are expected to bring heavy rain to the sparsely populated east coast of the island. Taiwan's authorities have issued land and sea warnings and canceled several flights to eastern cities, including Taitung and Hualien.

The storm is then forecast to head towards Hong Kong, China. The financial hub has asked residents to prepare for one of the strongest storms in years and is considering closing the airport for up to 36 hours.

Forecast track and area of influence of super typhoon Ragasa on 22/9. Photo: *NCHMF*

The Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually, trapping millions of people in vulnerable areas in a cycle of poverty. In 2013, super typhoon Haiyan killed more than 6,000 people in the country.

Huyen Le (*AFP, Reuters*)