Super Typhoon Ragasa, the world's most powerful tropical cyclone this year, lashed Hong Kong with hurricane-force winds and torrential rain on Wednesday, while heavy downpours in Taiwan resulted in the deaths of 14 people.

Shenzhen residents stockpile food as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches:::: Shenzhen, China:: Retailers taped up shop windows to reduce potential damage and authorities were seen felling treesRagasa, packing hurricane-force winds of up to 137 mph (220km/h),

Hong Kong has upgraded its typhoon warning to eight - just two levels below the maximum - ahead of the arrival of Super Typhoon Ragasa. The storm is expected to make landfall in China's Guangdong province on Wednesday,