HONG KONG (Reuters) -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. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementRAGASA EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN SUPER TYPHOON STATUSIt is expected to maintain super typhoon intensity as it moves toward the coast of China's Guangdong province, home to more than 125 million people, where it is expected to make landfall from midday (0400 GMT). Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementHong Kong issued the typhoon signal 10, its highest warning, early on Wednesday, which urges businesses and transport services to shut down. BROADER IMPACTIn the gambling hub of Macau next to Hong Kong, authorities also issued the No. 10 warning signal early on Wednesday.