Qantas, Cathay Pacific forced to cancel Hong Kong flights due to ‘super’ Typhoon Ragasa
Hundreds of flights to Asia are cancelled and supermarket shelves in the region have been stripped bare as millions brace for one of the strongest typhoons in years.
Qantas is among airlines cancelling hundreds of flights to Asia as millions of people prepare to be smashed by Super Typhoon Ragasa on Tuesday.
The colossal weather system has rapidly increased in strength since late last week and is predicted to bring “significant impacts” to land, meteorologists say.
Thousands of locals in the Philippines were evacuated before Ragasa made landfall over Panuitan Island in the northern Cagayan province on Monday afternoon, bringing destructive wind gusts of 285km/h - equivalent to a Category 5 cyclone.
The powerful super typhoon is set to continue smashing the Philippines as it makes its way towards mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In response, Qantas has suspended all flights to and from Hong Kong for 36 hours.
At least eight flights in and out of Sydney and Melbourne have been impacted.
The Flying Kangaroo on Monday contacted affected passengers.
They will be able to re-book for another flight within the next seven days from the original departure or a travel credit for later use.
The airline will monitor the situation over the coming hours to determine whether they can resume operations from Thursday.
Qantas joins the likes of Cathay Pacific, which also announced it will cancel about 500 flights.
“Starting at 6pm tomorrow, September 23, Cathay Pacific’s passengers arriving at and departing from Hong Kong International Airport will cease operations until resuming during daytime hours on Thursday,” a spokeswoman said on Monday.
Taiwan is also set to pause arrivals and departures, with ferry services to also be axed.
‘Life-threatening’
Authorities across Asia have warned the super typhoon could claim lives.
Schools and government buildings in Manila, Philippines’ capital, and large parts of the country were shut in preparation.
Warnings of sudden flooding from “life-threatening” storm surges that could reach three metres in height over low-lying areas has been issued.
There are also fears of landslides and major damage to infrastructure, including homes.
Ragasa is set to then move toward the coastline of Taiwan, but not directly make landfall, and predicted to bring strong waves and winds to the coastline.
The weather system is expected to continue to track west toward Hong Kong and Guangdong, in southern China.
Officials there say residents should be preparing for a “catastrophic” and “large-scale” disaster, with heavy rain and wind to begin as early as Tuesday.
Some 400,000 people are expected to be evacuated from Shenzhen, a major Chinese city next to Hong Kong.
Panic buying
Supermarket shelves have been stripped bare in Hong Kong and southern China.
The season’s first super typhoon has caused pandemonium among residents who have rushed to grocery stores to stock up not knowing how long the impacts of Ragasa could last.
Most of the essentials like cold items, fruits and vegetables, as well as long-life goods like canned foods, and bottles of water were all taken.
“Ragasa will pose a serious threat to Hong Kong, which could reach the levels of Hato in 2017 and Mangkhut in 2018,” Hong Kong’s number two official Eric Chan said, referring to two super typhoons which cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.
Local reports say Hato killed 26 people while Mangkhut claimed more than 130 lives.
School classes will be suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Authorities have told residents in low-lying areas to keep an eye out for flooding.
Forty six temporary shelters have been opened.
“There’s bound to be some concerns,” Chinese student, Zhu Yifan, said.
Zoe Chan, in her 50s, piled up sandbags outside her clothes shop in Hong Kong’s Wanchai district said she is expecting her business to be damaged by water.
“The most important thing is to take better precautions, so I can rest easier,” she told AFP.
Originally published as Qantas, Cathay Pacific forced to cancel Hong Kong flights due to ‘super’ Typhoon Ragasa
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