Thousands have been evacuated in the Philippines ahead of super typhoon Ragasa, with winds of 230 km/h (143 mph) and life-threatening storm surges forecast.

The typhoon is expected to hit northern islands before moving toward southern China, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and landslides.

Schools, government offices, and transport services have been suspended in affected areas, including Manila and parts of Taiwan, the BBC has reported.

Authorities in China and Hong Kong have warned of catastrophic impacts, while the Philippines continues to struggle with flooding and public protests over inadequate flood control infrastructure.