Schools and businesses in at least ten cities in southern China are closed on Tuesday on the orders of the authorities. In addition, a long line of flights has been cancelled.
Millions of people are affected as the southern regions hold their breath in anticipation of Ragasa. Only in Shenzhen, like neighbouring Hong Kong, a major economic hub, have 400,000 people been urged to evacuate.
The winds along the coast are feared to reach over 60 meters per second, according to local weather services. This would mean category 4 on the five-grade hurricane scale.
In Hong Kong, it is reported that curious people have been out photographing 2-3 meter high waves ahead of the storm's arrival. The authorities are also warning of strong winds, heavy rainfall and flooding, mainly in Hong Kong and the surrounding province of Guangdong.
People in, among other places, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Dongguan and Foshan are urged to stay indoors.
