At least 14 people have died and 129 remain missing in the township of Guangfu, located in Hualien, Taiwan, following the devastating impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa. The storm has been battering the region since Monday, resulting in catastrophic flooding after a barrier lake overflowed on Tuesday, inundating the town and transforming roads into torrents.
The barrier lake contained an estimated 91 million tonnes of water, enough to fill approximately 36,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. When it burst, around 60 million tonnes of water were released, leading to a rapid rise in water levels that caught residents off guard. “It hit like a tsunami,” said Hsieh Chien-tung, a postman in Guangfu, who managed to escape to the second floor of the post office before the floodwaters surged. Upon returning home, he discovered that his car had been swept into the living room.
Rescue Efforts and Government Response
Authorities have reported that all fatalities and missing persons are from Guangfu, where the floodwaters also destroyed a significant road bridge. Emergency rescue teams have been dispatched across affected regions, with the military deploying 340 troops to assist in recovery operations. Local fire officials continue to work tirelessly to locate those unaccounted for.
In Hong Kong, where Ragasa made landfall after impacting Taiwan, residents experienced strong winds and towering waves that crashed against the city’s promenades. The Hong Kong observatory recorded sustained winds of up to 195 kilometers per hour near the storm’s center. In preparation for the typhoon’s arrival, schools were closed, flights were canceled, and hundreds sought refuge in temporary shelters.
As the storm approached, significant damage was reported in Hong Kong, with parts of a pedestrian bridge’s roof blown away and hundreds of trees downed. The Hong Kong government has been actively monitoring the situation, urging residents to stay alert as the storm continued its path toward mainland China.
Broader Impact Across the Region
The effects of Super Typhoon Ragasa were felt beyond Taiwan and Hong Kong. Earlier in the week, four fatalities were reported in the Philippines as the typhoon traversed the area between the two nations. In southern China, nearly 1.9 million people were relocated across Guangdong province in anticipation of the storm’s arrival. Schools, factories, and public transport services were suspended in multiple cities as safety precautions.
In a rare gesture of goodwill, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office extended condolences to the victims and their families, signaling a moment of solidarity amidst ongoing political tensions. The Chinese government considers Taiwan part of its territory, a view strongly contested by the island’s democratically elected leadership.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the humanitarian implications of Super Typhoon Ragasa remain profound. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the loss of life and displacement of families has created a significant crisis in the affected regions.
