Hongkongers rush to stock up on essentials as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches

Hong Kong residents flocked to wet markets and supermarkets to stock up on food and other supplies on Monday ahead of the rapidly approaching Super Typhoon Ragasa, with one shopper comparing the rush with that seen during Lunar New Year.

From baked goods and fresh vegetables to poultry and meat, many shoppers were storing food to meet their needs for the whole week after the Hong Kong Observatory warned the storm would severely affect the city in the next two days.

At one bakery, located in the basement food court of the Sogo Department Store in Causeway Bay, more than 100 shoppers were queuing at the cashiers.

In the densely populated area of Sai Wan Ho, some shoppers told the Post it was one of the busiest days they had seen.

“You only see this many people sometimes during the Lunar New Year,” said Anny Pang, 67, as she wiped sweat from her brow after shopping at Mr Fresh on Shing On Street.

She bought more than 1kg (2lbs) of fresh vegetables including two cabbages, as well as five dragon fruits and four oranges. She said her stock would last until the weekend.

Pang added that she usually bought groceries on Wednesdays and Saturdays but decided to change her plan after reading the Observatory’s announcement.