Hong Kong is bracing for Super Typhoon Ragasa, the world’s most powerful tropical typhoon of the year, which is expected to impact the region on Tuesday. Schools and some businesses are closing and most passenger flights are set to be suspended later in the day until early Thursday.

Packing hurricane-force winds of up to 220km/h (137 mph), Ragasa is approaching the southern Guangdong province in China, according to the HongKong Observatory.

Authorities plan to raise the typhoon signal to 8, the third highest by 2:20pm (0620 GMT), prompting widespread business and transport shutdowns. Approximately 700 flights have already been disrupted.

The observatory is assessing whether to issue a higher warning later Tuesday or early Wednesday. Following its passage through the northern Philippines on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ordered the country’s disaster response agency to remain on full alert.

The Hong Kong Observatory warned of likely hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall on Wednesday, which could lead to significant storm surges in the densely populated city. Water levels are expected to rise by about two meters(six feet) along coastal areas, with maximum levels potentially reaching 4-5 meters (12-15 feet) in some locations.

Residents are advised to take precautions as conditions may resemble those during Typhoon Hato in 2017 and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, both of which can cause extensive damage.

Local authorities distributed sandbags to residents in low-lying areas, while many people rushed to stock up on essentials. According to witnesses, supermarkets reported long queuesm with milk and meat sold out and vegetable prices tripling.

Despite the approaching storm, Hong Kong’s Stock Exchange will remain open, having changed its policy last year to continue trading regardless of weather conditions.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have activated flood control measures across several southern provinces in anticipation of heavy rain.

In Macau, significant impacts are expected prompting school closures and evacuation plans. In Shenzhen, over 800 emergency shelters have been prepared.

Taiwan has evacuated more than 7,600 people from mountainous regions, while transport disruptions continue, with 273 flights canceled and some rail services suspended.