People emptying supermarkets in panic as year’s most powerful typhoon approaches Hong Kong

Hong Kong shut down ahead of Super Typhoon Ragasa on Tuesday, the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone this year. More than 300,000 people have been evacuated from Guangdong province in southern China, hundreds of flights have been canceled, and schools have been closed, Reuters writes.

Authorities have urged people to stay at home, while most passenger flights are due to be suspended until Thursday.

People piled into supermarkets, leaving little on the shelves, as panic buying set in and residents stocked up on necessities for fear that shops could be closed for two days.

Windows in homes and businesses across the city were taped up, with residents hoping it could help reduce the impact of any shattered glass.

Warnings of floods, storms and landslides have been issued ahead of the expected typhoon.