After lashing Hong Kong, Typhoon Ragasa made landfall in Guangdong province on Wednesday, said China’s National Meteorological Centre. 

Ragasa had been at the intensity of a super typhoon for 74 hours, with heavy rainfalls from Guangdong to Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. China’s military forces said troops are standing by and are “combat-ready,” with assault boats, life jackets and emergency lighting devices for evacuation missions.

More than 10 cities in Guangdong, including Shenzhen and Zhuhai, have announced the closure of all markets, schools, factories and transport systems. In Shenzhen alone, more than 500 flights have been called. All buses, taxis, subway services, and highway access were suspended on Tuesday.

Hong Kong issued typhoon signal 10, its highest warning, early on Wednesday, and urged businesses and transport services to shut down. Most commercial flights have been suspended and will remain grounded till Thursday. 

In Taiwan, the super typhoon triggered a deadly lake barrier burst in Hualien county leaving at least 14 dead, 18 injured, and hundreds missing.