The Philippines and Taiwan on Monday braced themselves for the impact of Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful storm to hit the region this year.

Authorities in the Philippines shut down schools and government offices across a wide swath of the main northern region, including the densely populated capital.

Thousands of people were also evacuated from landslide and flood-prone villages.

The typhoon, called Nando in the Philippines, was last tracked about 180 kilometers (112 miles) east of Calayan with sustained winds of 215 kilometers (134 miles) per hour.

Its eye was expected to pass close to the Babuyan islands by midday before blowing toward southeastern China on Tuesday.

Ragasa, Tagalog for 'surge,' also strengthened as it neared Taiwan’s southern tip, with the Central Weather Administration warning its storm circle would reach the Hengchun Peninsula before noon.

Land warnings were in effect for Taitung, Pingtung and Kaohsiung, while sea warnings extended across surrounding waters.