Super typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful tropical storm of the year, slammed into southern China on Wednesday after carving a path of destruction through Taiwan and the Philippines. Nearly two million people were evacuated from Guangdong province ahead of landfall, with authorities issuing their highest “red alert” for storm surges and dangerous tides.

As the storm’s eye neared the coast, winds intensified into violent bursts, lashing city skylines with sheets of rain and making it nearly impossible for people to stay on their feet. Taiwan’s death toll climbed to 17 following two days of devastation, The Guardian reported.

In Hong Kong, the approach of Ragasa produced extraordinary skies. One widely shared clip showed a “towering cloud canopy” sweeping overhead, a stark visual of the ty

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