We are approaching the end of typhoon season in Hong Kong, but that doesn’t mean that things are slowing down. In fact, the city is currently being hit with what is potentially the strongest storm the world has seen this year, Typhoon Ragasa.
In the southern Chinese Guangdong province, hundreds of thousands have been evacuated as Ragasa moves west, and Hong Kong will see the worst of the damage throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday morning (September 23 and 24) local time.
The storm has already caused huge disruptions to travel and day-to-day operations in Hong Kong, with hundreds of flights grounded and shops closed for safety.
What is Super Typhoon Ragasa?
Typhoons are essentially hurricanes that develop over the Northwest Pacific Ocean, and their paths typically hit East Asia. Meteorologists use the words ‘typhoon’ and ‘hurricane’ to differentiate the geographical location of a storm, but both are tropical storms which have the potential to cause serious damage.
A super typhoon is the equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. This means that Super Typhoon Ragasa will reach wind speeds of up to 177mph, and that there will be heavy rainfall which could cause flooding in coastal areas. Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary for Administration, Eric Chan, said that Ragasa will ‘pose a serious threat’ to the city. Windows have been boarded up and public areas shut off in preparation.
Read Hong Kong’s extensive guide to the Typhoon Ragasa and how to prepare.
Have flights been cancelled?
Yes, hundreds of flights across the affected region have been cancelled as a result of this typhoon, including those landing, taking off, or passing through Hong Kong. In fact, Hong Kong Airport has ordered all planes to remain grounded from 6pm local time (10am UTC) on Tuesday September 23 until 6am (10pm UTC) on Thursday September 25. This will leave thousands of passengers stranded without accommodation.
There are expected to be continued disruptions even once flights are allowed to take off again on Thursday. Some airlines have cancelled flights themselves, and a message on the airport’s website reads: ‘Due to inclement weather conditions, passengers are advised to contact the airline for the latest flight information or check with the airport’s website before departing for the airport’.
They also advise that you leave plenty of time to get to the airport, as public transport could also be delayed or cancelled.
Is it safe to travel?
While the worst of the storm rages, it is best to avoid travelling to Hong Kong and its surrounding areas if at all possible, for your own safety. Public transport will not be in operation.
The Hong Kong observatory specifically advises that ‘members of the public should stay away from the shoreline’, and all boat travel will likely be cancelled until Ragasa passes.
What to do if your flight is cancelled
The refunds or expenses you are entitled to when a flight is cancelled will depend on where you were due to take off from and the airline you were scheduled to fly with.
If you were flying from the EU or UK to Hong Kong, or via Hong Kong, your airline is obliged to put you on the next available flight. At present, this could be a few days away. If you are put on a new route to your final destination which avoids Hong Kong, it must not cost you extra.
Additionally, if you have to wait overnight as a result of a delayed flight (including as part of a stopover), the airline should pay for a hotel room and food for you.
Unfortunately, there are less stringent rights elsewhere in the world. Those flying from Australia or New Zealand to Hong Kong are not entitled to compensation or a new flight. Some companies may offer aid, accommodation, or food vouchers anyway, so it’s worth asking. You can also check if you are covered for natural disasters by travel insurance.
If you are flying from Hong Kong back to Europe with a European airline like British Airways, Lufthansa, or Air France, you must be provided with free meals and accommodation until a seat becomes available for you, also at no extra cost. This does not apply to other airlines, although they may offer compensation as a company policy.
If you have a package holiday to Hong Kong booked, and it ends up being cancelled because of the typhoon, you should be able to get a full refund. Contact your travel provider.
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