Opinion | Ragasa’s wake brings pride and important lessons for Hong Kong

Last week, Hong Kong braved the strongest storm of the year in the world as Super Typhoon Ragasa ripped through the city as well as the Philippines, Taiwan, Macau and coastal mainland China, causing havoc.

Compared with the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, Hong Kong did well this time. Mangkhut sank boats, damaged infrastructure, left roads strewn with debris, injured hundreds of people and caused economic losses estimated at HK$4.6 billion (US$591.3 million). Economist Simon Lee Siu-po estimates losses from Ragasa at HK$2-3 billion, around half the damage done by Mangkhut. Lee says better preparations by the city helped reduce losses.

Credit must be given where it is due. Having learned lessons from Mangkhut, the government had already put together a steering committee on handling extreme weather. It did a good job with Ragasa, especially when it came to preparing the public ahead of the storm. The 36-hour grounding of flights was clearly communicated, with the airport remaining open and ready to shelter and care for stranded travellers.

Suspension of school was announced ahead of time as opposed to the usual practice of making announcements on the morning of the suspension. Drainage services had worked around the clock to clear drains in areas prone to flooding.

A little more than two months ago, the committee came under significant criticism for cancelling classes ahead of tropical cyclone Danas in anticipation of a projected fifth-largest daily rainfall that never materialised. The fact that it happened to be the last day of school for many students was unfortunate. Weather remains notoriously difficult to predict, even with today’s technological capabilities.

02:35

‘It’s very bad’: restaurants face huge losses after Super Typhoon Ragasa strikes Hong Kong

The fact that most parts of the city were able to resume business and school hours after Ragasa is a testament to the efforts of many people working quietly behind the scenes and around the clock as part of the city’s emergency response. While many of us waited out the storm in the comfort of our homes, these people were braving the elements, clearing debris and more.

Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Tropical depression heads for East Sea, likely to strengthen into storm

Forecast map of the tropical depression’s track and intensity issued at 2pm on Wednesday. Photo of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting HÀ NỘI — While Việt Nam is still reeling from the catastrophic Typhoon Bualoi (Storm No.10), a tropical depression over the Philippine Sea is moving toward the East Sea (South China Sea) and

1 October 2025

Hong Kong marks National Day with fireworks, naval ship tours and horse races

Hundreds of thousands of spectators packed Hong Kong’s harbourfront for a fireworks display on National Day, capping off celebrations that included an open day at PLA naval ships and visitors descending upon the city for shopping, sightseeing and hiking. Police said 344,000 people packed both sides of Victoria Harbour to watch the 23-minute display on

1 October 2025

Exclusive | UK open to Hong Kong lawyers registering as arbitrators: Bar Association chief

The United Kingdom has extended a welcome to Hong Kong’s barristers to register as arbitrators in its database because of their common law background and experience in handling Asian cases, the head of the city’s Bar Association has said. In an exclusive interview with the Post on Wednesday, Jose-Antonio Maurellet also expressed confidence that Hong

1 October 2025

Fourth storm in five weeks threatens after Hong Kong recovers from Ragasa

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong readers now get 50% off their first year of subscription until September 21, 2025. Hong Kong is bracing for its fourth storm in five weeks, with a typhoon forecast to move close

1 October 2025

Indoor skiing, dining lure Hongkongers on cross-border National Day trips

Thousands of Hongkongers have headed to mainland China to spend the National Day holiday despite local events and offerings, with residents opting for a variety of activities across the border including indoor skiing, dining and sightseeing. Crowds started to build at major checkpoints as early as 9am on Wednesday, as eager residents embarked on cross-border

1 October 2025

Mainland Chinese tourists loosen purse strings as Hong Kong celebrates National Day

Mainland Chinese tourists were loosening their purse strings as they flocked to Hong Kong at the start of the National Day holiday on Wednesday, with many opting to stay a few days to enjoy the fireworks, outdoor attractions and urban vibes. Hong Kong authorities estimated that as many as 1.54 million mainland visitors, including 1,200

1 October 2025

Hong Kong’s No 2 official vows to enhance East Dam travel with better Wi-fi, traffic

Hong Kong’s No 2 official has pledged to further improve travellers’ experience at High Island Reservoir’s popular East Dam by strengthening Wi-fi connectivity and improving traffic arrangements there. Chief Secretary of Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki’s remarks came on Wednesday, the first day of the National Day “golden week” holiday, as over 1,000 visitors descended on

1 October 2025

A young visitor gets some tips on knot-tying on board the Qi Jiguang. Photo: Karma Lo

Hongkongers tour PLA naval ships as trainees sample local delicacies

Scores of Hong Kong residents set off at dawn to visit two PLA naval ships anchored at Stonecutters Island as part of National Day celebrations on Wednesday, while military college students gave a thumbs up to the city’s street food and skyline. Training vessel Qi Jiguang and amphibious assault ship Yimeng Shan are harboured at

1 October 2025

Opinion | Ragasa’s wake brings pride and important lessons for Hong Kong

Related Article