BYD Yangwang U8 causing havoc during Super Typhoon Ragasa flooding in China
On September 24, as Super Typhoon Ragasa swept across Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, the city issued a Level I emergency response. Heavy rainfall triggered flooding in parts of Doumen District, where several roads were inundated. That evening, residents recorded a BYD Yangwang U8 repeatedly driving through standing water on Jinwan Middle Road in Jing’an, creating large waves that struck nearby storefronts, according to D-News.
Footage circulated online appeared to show waves from the vehicle breaking shop windows and deforming metal shutters. In one video, pedestrians expressed alarm as glass shattered. Some bystanders confronted the driver, alleging the SUV had driven through the flooded street several times.
One shop owner told local media that the water impact caused substantial damage, including ruined stock and electrical failures. “After the vehicle passed, the entire circuit collapsed,” the merchant said, adding that surveillance cameras and other systems were disabled. The owner thanked residents who filmed the incident, noting the recordings would serve as evidence.
Zhuhai police later confirmed they had summoned the driver for questioning. Authorities advised affected merchants to record their losses and submit surveillance footage when filing reports. The case remains under investigation.
The incident has fueled discussion about public safety during extreme weather and the responsibilities of drivers when navigating flood conditions. The focus has also drawn attention to the vehicle itself, BYD’s flagship Yangwang U8.
Launched in September 2023, the U8 is a luxury SUV priced at 1,089,000 yuan (approximately 152,700 USD). Designed by Wolfgang Egger, formerly of Lamborghini and Audi, the SUV measures 5,319 mm in length, 2,050 mm in width, and 1,930 mm in height, with a 3,050 mm wheelbase.
Its rugged design emphasises off-road capabilities, with roof rails, side steps, and a wading depth of up to 1,400 mm in the Off-road Master Edition.
What sets the U8 apart technically is its Intelligent Individual Wheel Drive (IWD) system, powered by four independent motors. This allows advanced control, including a 180-degree “tank turn” and the ability to stay afloat for up to 30 minutes in emergency floating mode. BYD has highlighted this feature as intended for disaster situations, such as floods, rather than recreational use.
Super Typhoon Ragasa, also known as Nando in the Philippines, is the most intense tropical cyclone recorded in 2025. It developed from an area of convection north of Yap in mid-September before undergoing rapid intensification, reaching Category 5-equivalent strength with peak winds of 270 km/h and a minimum central pressure of 905 mb. Ragasa made landfall in the Philippines’ Cagayan province on September 22, later affecting Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and South China. The storm caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage across the region, leaving at least 25 dead, 133 injured, and dozens missing, with millions evacuated as precautionary measures.
