Super Typhoon Ragasa

Source: ET

Context: The Philippines has halted work and classes as Super Typhoon Ragasa barrels toward northern Luzon with winds up to 250 km/h.

About Super Typhoon Ragasa:

• What It Is?

• A Category 5 Super Typhoon with sustained winds of 205 km/h and gusts up to 250 km/h. Locally called “Nando”, it is one of the strongest typhoons to hit the region in recent years.

• A Category 5 Super Typhoon with sustained winds of 205 km/h and gusts up to 250 km/h.

• Locally called “Nando”, it is one of the strongest typhoons to hit the region in recent years.

• Origin:

• Formed over the western Pacific Ocean, where warm waters and low wind shear created ideal conditions for intensification. Moving across the Luzon Strait, expected to impact the Babuyan Islands before heading toward southern China.

• Formed over the western Pacific Ocean, where warm waters and low wind shear created ideal conditions for intensification.

• Moving across the Luzon Strait, expected to impact the Babuyan Islands before heading toward southern China.

About the Philippines:

• Location:

• Archipelago nation in Southeast Asia, western Pacific Ocean, consisting of 7,000+ islands. Lies about 800 km east of Vietnam, forming part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.

• Archipelago nation in Southeast Asia, western Pacific Ocean, consisting of 7,000+ islands.

• Lies about 800 km east of Vietnam, forming part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.

• Capital: Manila (political centre).

• Neighbours: All of its neighbors are separated by sea channels or straits:

• North: Taiwan – across the Luzon Strait West: Vietnam – across the South China Sea South: Malaysia (Sabah, Borneo) and Indonesia – across Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea

• North: Taiwan – across the Luzon Strait

• West: Vietnam – across the South China Sea

• South: Malaysia (Sabah, Borneo) and Indonesia – across Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea

• Key Features:

• Geography: Three main island groups – Luzon (north), Visayas (central), Mindanao (south). Mountains & Volcanoes: Includes active volcanoes like Mayon & Taal, prone to earthquakes and eruptions. Culture: Mix of Asian and Western influences, one of only two Roman Catholic-majority nations in Asia.

• Geography: Three main island groups – Luzon (north), Visayas (central), Mindanao (south).

• Mountains & Volcanoes: Includes active volcanoes like Mayon & Taal, prone to earthquakes and eruptions.

• Culture: Mix of Asian and Western influences, one of only two Roman Catholic-majority nations in Asia.