Macau has hoisted Typhoon Signal No. 3 with the current signal confirmed to be raised to Signal No. 8 at 5 pm today as Super Typhoon Ragasa is expected to continue moving in a west-northwest direction at a relatively fast speed in the coming few days, according to the city’s Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG).
Based on the current forecast, at 7 pm, Ragasa – the world’s strongest storm of the year – was estimated to be about 570km east-southeast of Macau, forecast to be moving west-northwest at around 20km/h moving across the northern part of the South China Sea.
SMG has announced on its website there is a high possibility of Macau issuing Typhoon Signal No. 9 around midnight tonight and a relatively high chance of Signal No. 10 being hoisted in the early morning tomorrow (24 September).
Due to Ragasa’s broad circulation and the combined influence of the northeast monsoon, winds in Macau are expected to strengthen significantly later today.
The super typhoon is expected to approach the Pearl River Estuary closely between the early hours and morning tomorrow, with the local weather bureau pointing out the chance of the typhoon skirting within 100kilometres of Macau cannot be ruled out.
Winds in the SAR may reach hurricane force of 12 or above for a prolonged period, accompanied by persistent heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds, with those living on high floors warned to prepare for severe impacts from the hurricane-force higher winds, while low-lying areas may experience storm surge flooding equivalent to those during Typhoons Hato (2017) and Mangkhut (2018) at daytime tomorrow, according to SMG.
Meanwhile, the orange storm surge warning will be issued at 1 pm today and there is a relatively high chance of replacing it with the red storm surge warning from afternoon to evening later today.
As uncertainties exist regarding Ragasa’s track and moving speed, the public is advised to closely monitor the latest weather updates and take early precautions against wind damage and flooding, as well as prepare essential emergency necessities, including three days’ worth of food and water. For more information about Macau’s weather development visit SMG’s website. – GNM
Source: SMG
Image: Dhruv Pulipaka
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