Typhoon Tapah Hits Southern China: Effective Preparations Mitigate Impact

Typhoon Tapah, the sixteenth named storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season, made landfall near Taishan city in Guangdong province on September 8, 2025, bringing strong winds and heavy rains that led to significant evacuations and transportation disruptions across southern China and Hong Kong.

Despite extensive precautionary measures, including the evacuation of over 200,000 residents and the suspension of major transportation services, Typhoon Tapah resulted in minimal reported damage and no fatalities, highlighting the effectiveness of the region's preparedness strategies.

Impact on Guangdong Province

In anticipation of Typhoon Tapah's arrival, Guangdong province implemented extensive emergency measures. Over 200,000 residents were evacuated to ensure safety. Train and ferry services were suspended, and schools and businesses were closed to minimize risk. The storm caused significant damage, including the toppling of over 160 trees and minor flooding in various areas.

Impact on Hong Kong

Hong Kong experienced substantial disruptions due to Typhoon Tapah. The Hong Kong Observatory issued a Typhoon Signal No. 8, the third-highest alert level, indicating gale-force winds. Approximately 100 flights were canceled, and a runway was temporarily closed after an HK Express plane veered onto grass upon landing. Public transportation, including ferries, buses, and trams, was largely suspended, though the mass-transit railway operated at longer intervals. Twelve individuals sustained injuries due to the storm and were hospitalized. The government received numerous reports of damage, including over 160 toppled trees and minor flooding. Hundreds sought shelter in temporary centers, and court hearings were suspended.

Impact on Macao

In Macao, the storm led to reports of flooding in certain areas.

Comparative Analysis with Previous Typhoons

Typhoon Tapah's impact is reminiscent of previous storms in the region. Typhoon Wipha (July 2025) prompted Hong Kong to issue its highest hurricane warning signal (No. 10), caused significant disruptions, including the cancellation or delay of over 400 flights, and resulted in 26 people seeking hospital treatment. Typhoon Saola (2023) led to the cancellation of flights, classes, and suspension of stock market trading in Hong Kong. The city issued its highest hurricane warning, the No. 10 signal, for the first time since 2018.

Effectiveness of Preparedness Measures

The recurring impact of typhoons like Tapah underscores the vulnerability of densely populated urban centers in southern China and neighboring regions. The economic ramifications include disruptions to transportation, commerce, and daily life, while the social implications involve the displacement of residents and the strain on emergency services.

The region's proactive measures, including timely evacuations and infrastructure shutdowns, played a crucial role in mitigating the storm's impact. The absence of fatalities and the relatively low number of injuries highlight the effectiveness of these preparedness strategies.

As the typhoon season progresses, continued vigilance and investment in disaster preparedness remain essential to safeguard lives and minimize economic disruptions.