In brief
After making landfall in southern China, Typhoon Ragasa has led to nearly two million evacuations amid fears of severe damage, following catastrophic flooding in Taiwan where at least 17 lives have been lost. The storm, classified as the world's strongest this year, continues to pose a significant threat with sustained winds and torrential rain expected.
Typhoon Ragasa has made landfall in southern China, where nearly two million people have been evacuated in preparation for its arrival.
It comes after authorities said at least 17 people had been killed and more missing in Taiwan after a lake burst on Tuesday, causing severe flooding in the island's east.
Ragasa was downgraded from a super to a severe typhoon on Wednesday but it remains highly destructive, with top winds of 241km/h (150mph) recorded in Taishan county in China's south-eastern Guangdong province.
The equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, Ragasa is the world's strongest storm this year and has been roaring over the South China Sea for days.
Ahead of making landfall, 90 people were injured in Hong Kong as the storm skirted its coastline, the hospital authority said.
The typhoon made landfall on the coast of Hailing Island, Yanjiang City in Guangdong at about 17:00 local time (9:00 GMT) on Wednesday, according to Chinese state media.
It crossed the mainland with sustained winds of 144km/h and higher gusts. Wind speeds are expected to gradually weaken as the storm moves westwards over land but rain will be torrential and slow-moving across the region for several more days.
The southern Chinese cities of Zhuhai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou - all located in Guangdong - were braced for seawater intrusion from about midday local time.
Red alerts for landslides were also issued in the mountainous regions of Guangdong province.
Away from the Chinese mainland, authorities in Taiwan are still dealing with the destruction caused by Ragasa, which officials have described as being far worse than anticipated.
Premier Cho Jung-Tai has demanded an inquiry into how evacuations were carried out after at least 17 people died after a barrier lake, formed by a landslide in July, burst its banks in Hualien county, causing severe flooding in the town of Guangfu.
Some geologists have described the breach as a tsunami from the mountains, as an estimated 15.4 million tonnes of water were released when the dam burst.
The flooding washed away several key bridges, submerged vehicles, and left the ground floors of homes underwater. Many residents were trapped on upper storeys awaiting rescue.
The government has established a front-line disaster response centre in Hualien, and the Ministry of National Defence has deployed troops to assist with rescue efforts.
