by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
MANILA (Worthy News) – Churches in several parts of the Philippines opened their doors Thursday for residents in anticipation of more misery after Tropical Storm Ragasa killed at least 25 people in several Asian nations, officials said.
Ragasa weakened and moved along China’s southern coast toward Vietnam on Thursday after battering Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
However, in the Philippines authorities warned Thursday that “Severe Tropical Storm Bualoi,” known locally as Tropical Storm Opong, could hit the country’s eastern coast on Friday.
Already, heavy rain and wind trapped numerous Christian residents, Worthy News established. “I am here in Cebu City,” said Merry Joy Osman, a Christian aid worker at a micro-financing organization helping small entrepreneurs and families. “Am still here now in our office and we can’t go home yet,” she told Worthy News.
Elsewhere, Gloria Tolentino, a Christian public servant and mother of four, told Worthy News that “We are now having heavy rain and tomorrow typhoon Opong will hit my place” in Calapan, the capital of Oriental Mindoro province, some 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Manila. “I am praying that this typhoon will change direction and go out to the South China Sea.”
Tolentino noted that “so many people are suffering from the flood, homes are destroyed, some have no food to eat. I feel so pity and my heart is full of sadness with all the people of my country. It is now the first time that my place will be hit by this typhoon.”
She added: “I feel so afraid… Now… I hope and I pray that God will hear my plea…”
SUPER TYPHOON
Tolentino referred to Tropical Storm Ragasa, downgraded from a super typhoon, which reportedly peaked on Monday, hitting the Philippines with maximum sustained winds of 265 kph (165 mph), killing at least 11 people.
A day later, the storm caused a lake to burst, leaving at least 14 people dead in Taiwan, according to authorities.The typhoon brought about 70 centimeters (28 inches) of rain to Taiwan’s east coast, according to official data.
On Wednesday, officials said that China’s Guangdong province faced the wrath of Ragasa, the world’s strongest cyclone this year, flooding homes and leaving over 56,000 households without power.
Authorities evacuated nearly 2 million residents from homes in Guangdong province, where the storm toppled more than 50,000 trees and forced schools and businesses to shut down.
“The winds were so strong, you can see it completely ripped everything apart,” said Lin Xiaobing, a worker at a restaurant devastated by the storm.
Crews in China cleared thousands of downed trees and debris from the submerged streets in the cities of Yangjiang and Zhuhai, while relief workers cleaned up blocked roads and used boats to rescue stranded residents.
Beijing earmarked over $49 million for rescue and recovery operations, Chinese authorities said.
HONG KONG INJURIES
Outside mainland China, more than 100 people were reportedly injured in Hong Kong in the storm’s wake, and about 1,000 flights were canceled.
Hong Kong was under the highest typhoon warning for most of Wednesday as huge waves crashed over the eastern and southern shoreline. Video footage obtained by Worthy News showed Hong Kong’s Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel hit by the storm. Waves breached its glass lobby doors and seawater surged inside, flooding the area. The hotel itself reported that no guests or staff were injured, though at least one person fell on the ground when struck by the waves in the lobby, the footage showed. The lobby was left muddy and littered with debris after the surge.
Additionally, widespread flooding submerged some roads and residential areas. Schools and businesses reopened on Thursday as authorities tackled more than 1,200 fallen trees and widespread flooding.
Hong Kong resumed flights from its international airport on Thursday after a 36-hour suspension. “It is anticipated that flights will be scheduled until late into late night tomorrow, handling over 1,000 flights at the normal level,” Hong Kong’s Airport Authority said.
Yet, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV warned that Ragasa had made its second landfall in Beihai, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China. The city lies on the coast of the Beibu Gulf (also called the Gulf of Tonkin), facing Vietnam across the water, where more troubles were expected.
With winds of 65 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour), the weakened Ragasa moved west toward Vietnam, where Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered immediate preparations. Authorities said they moved to secure infrastructure, protect fishing vessels, and evacuate residents. Some flights were canceled or rescheduled.
Officials cautioned that Ragasa is forecast to remain a rain threat across Vietnam and parts of Southeast Asia before eventually dissipating.
For Christians in the Philippines and other areas, it was another reason to pray. The Philippines, South China, Taiwan, and Vietnam are all in the Western Pacific typhoon belt, one of the most storm-prone areas on earth. There is debate on how much reported climate change contributes to storm patterns.
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