Typhoon Ragasa Wreaks Havoc in Taiwan, 14 Dead, 124 Missing So Far

Taipei (Uttam Hindu News): Super Typhoon Ragasa has unleashed severe flooding and destruction in eastern Taiwan, with 14 confirmed dead and 124 people missing in Hualien County, officials said. The disaster struck after days of relentless rainfall caused a landslide-formed lake to breach its banks, inundating the Guangfu settlement.

Government data shows that about 60% of the 8,500 residents of Hualien County live on the upper floors of their homes, while most of the rest had left the area to stay with relatives. On Tuesday, when the lake overflowed, 6 out of 9 million tons of water escaped, causing widespread flooding.

The Taiwan Fire Services Department reported on Wednesday that Hualien County in eastern Taiwan is the worst-hit area, and 124 people remain missing. For context, in 2009, Typhoon Morakot caused severe devastation in southern Taiwan, killing around 700 people and causing an estimated $3 billion in damages.

After Taiwan, Super Typhoon Ragasa is moving toward southern China and Hong Kong. Hualien alone recorded nearly 70 cm (28 inches) of rainfall. In Hong Kong, locals gathered to observe waves 2–3 meters high before the storm intensified; authorities rescued three people, including a child, from the sea. Ragasa’s maximum wind speed reaches 195 km/h (120 mph). In Guangdong, over 1 million residents were evacuated according to the provincial emergency management department.

China’s National Meteorological Center has issued warnings, stating that Ragasa may reach the area between Taishan and Zhanjiang cities by Wednesday afternoon to evening, with widespread heavy rain expected across Guangdong and neighboring Fujian province.