After moving into the southern waters off China's Guangdong province on September 24 morning, Typhoon Ragasa, the ninth arising in the East Sea this year, weakened to Level 15, no longer classified as a super typhoon, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
Super typhoon Ragasa is forecast to maintain very strong intensity at levels 15–16 throughout September 24. At 4 a.m. on September 24, the storm’s eye was located over the northern part of the North East Sea, about 650 km east of Mong Cai in Quang Ninh province. Maximum sustained winds near the centre reached level 15–16, with gusts above level 17, as the storm continued to move west-northwest at around 20 km/h.
Ragasa, rated the world’s most powerful super typhoon of 2025, is moving at 20–25 km per hour. Though it has begun to weaken, authorities stress there must be no complacency, with the entire political system mobilised to safeguard lives and property.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued dispatch No.171/CD-TTg, dated September 23, calling for urgent and decisive measures by ministries, agencies, and localities to respond to super typhoon Ragasa, the ninth storm that hit the East Sea this year.
The carrier stressed that schedule changes are unavoidable due to force majeure and may continue to evolve depending on real-time developments.
With wind speeds reaching Level 17 and gusts exceeding that, Ragasa has surpassed Hurricane Erin to become the year’s strongest storm.
The eastern part of the northern East Sea will see winds gradually strengthening from Level 8–9 to Level 10–14, and near the storm’s eye reaching Level 15–17 with gusts above Level 17.