The looming approach of Super Typhoon Ragasa has forced the emergency evacuation of nearly two million people as the storm prepares to make landfall in Southeast Asia.
The world's strongest storm so far this year has brought several Asian megacities to a total standstill and caused the deaths of at least 15 people in Taiwan.
Some 152 people are still missing after waves taller than lampposts battered multiple island nations.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled, streets have been turned into lakes, schools and public transport have been closed, and supermarket shelves have been emptied.
Nearly two million people have been relocated across the Guangdong province in southern China.
A further 400,000 people have been evacuated in the city of Sehnzun, which is vulnerable due to its coastal, low-lying regions.
The storm has brought winds of 115mph and gusts of up to 146mph, according to the Philippine weather agency Pagasa.
The typhoon is forecast to keep its current strength before weakening slightly as it approaches China's coast today.
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Cars piled on top of each other after flooding swamped the area
|REUTERS
In anticipation of landfall, Hong Kong raised its storm warning this morning from No 8 to No 10 - the maximum-level storm warning.
Residents in the storm's path have been told to stay inside, away from windows and doors, and remain in place "until the danger is over".
Gusts reaching 206kmph were reported at Ngong Ping plateau, a top tourist destination.
Pedestrians look on as waves the size of lampposts batter the seafront
|REUTERS
The storm lashed the Philippines, killing at least three people as its bands triggered widespread flooding and landslides.
Taiwan has sent 340 soldiers to help rescue teams save people from the flooding.
More than 8,200 people have been evacuated to safety in Cagayan, the Philippines, and over 1,200 have fled to emergency shelters in Apayao.
The Philippines' weather agency said: "There is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding three metres within the next 24 hours".
Huge waves battered coastlines in Hong Kong
|REUTERS
Waves pour into the seafront onto flood barriers
|REUTERS
Residents of the affected areas are used to serious storms, experiencing more than a dozen so far this year, but super Typhoon Ragasa is poised to be the worst one so far.
The last storm with winds as strong and a radius as wide to strike Taiwan was Typhoon Hinnamnor in 2022.
While the island reported no casualties, at least 10 were killed in South Korea.
In 2021, Typhoon Rai killed more than 400 people as winds of more than 174mph pelted the islands.
Streets have been turned into lakes
|REUTERS
As the storm approaches, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issued a travel warning to Britons in East Asia.
It said: "Typhoon Ragasa is currently expected to pass close to Taiwan from Tuesday, September 23, to early Wednesday, September 24, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA).
"Typhoons can change course and intensity. Monitor the Central Weather Administration website and local typhoon alerts.
"Follow the advice of local authorities. If you are due to travel, check for messages from your travel provider."