China typhoon LIVE: 370,000 people evacuated from city as Hong Kong goes into lockdown

A huge storm, which forecasters have called the most powerful on Earth so far this year, is hurtling towards Hong Kong after killing at least three people on its journey through the northern Philippines. Super Typhoon Ragasa is packing sustained winds of 115mph and gusts of up to 143mph, according to the Philippine weather agency, Pagasa.

In preparation, Hong Kong's authorities have issued their third-highest typhoon warning and cancelled at least 700 flights, with "severe disruption" expected from Tuesday evening (September 23). The Chinese special administrative region has also shut schools and some businesses, with residents flocking to the supermarkets to panic buy supplies as they prepare to hunker down. Some 370,000 people have also been evacuated from Guangdong province in southern China. Ragasa is forecast to maintain its strength over the next 24 hours, before weakening slightly as it approaches the coast of China. Already in the Philippines, the super typhoon has triggered widespread flooding, landslides and major damage and infrastructure across affected regions.

The worst impacts on Hong Kong will be felt on Tuesday night and early Wednesday local time. By Wednesday evening, landfall is expected on the south China coast.

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