Japan’s Meteorological Agency ranks Ragasa as large and violent. It said that, as of 9 a.m. on Tuesday Japan time, Ragasa was moving west-northwest over the South China Sea, packing winds of up to about 200 kilometers per hour near its center.
Chinese weather authorities say the typhoon may make landfall in the south of the country as early as Wednesday.
In the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, schools are being closed, while some businesses have allowed workers to stay home, and shops are remaining shut, mainly in coastal areas. Railways and airlines have announced cancellation of some services.
In Hong Kong, schools are closed until at least Thursday. Some flights to and from Hong Kong have been canceled. Airlines say flight disruption is likely to get more severe as the typhoon approaches.
