Rescuers Struggle Through Mud as Taiwan Searches for Missing After Super Typhoon Ragasa

HUALIEN, Taiwan – Rescue workers in eastern Taiwan are facing tough conditions as they search for seven people still missing after Super Typhoon Ragasa caused massive flooding earlier this week. The storm has already claimed 15 lives, according to the local fire department.

The disaster struck mainly rural areas of Hualien County, where heavy rain caused a barrier lake in the mountains to overflow. The sudden release of water and mud hit the town of Guangfu with enormous force, covering homes, streets, and farmland in thick, dark grey sludge.

Even after floodwaters have receded, the mud remains a serious challenge for both rescuers and residents. Emergency teams are wading through mud sometimes up to their waists, cutting holes in roofs and searching buildings for those who may still be trapped.

One resident, who gave his family name as Hwang, said he was still looking for his elder sister. “She died in the house because it was completely filled with mud and there was no way to get her out,” he said. Other elderly residents died after they could not move quickly enough despite government warnings to go upstairs or seek higher ground.

Huang Ju-hsing, 88, survived after being trapped above his family-run grocery store during the flooding. His wife, Chang Hsueh-mei, 78, described how they scrambled over debris to reach safety. “When you’re faced with an emergency, you suddenly find the courage to do anything,” she said.

Experts say the floodwaters were unusual because they carried a large amount of sediment, including sand and mud. Lu Jing-chien, an associate professor of disaster management at Central Police University, noted, “Perhaps they didn’t expect that the water would carry such a high sediment load with sand and mud, and come so quickly and forcefully.”

The barrier lake, which formed after earlier typhoons, has now shrunk to only 8% of its original water volume. Officials are still considering what steps to take to prevent such dangerous overflows in the future.

While rescue efforts continue, residents of Guangfu are trying to recover from the destruction. Many homes and businesses are buried under mud, and local authorities are providing emergency relief and support. Volunteers and emergency workers remain on the ground, determined to find the missing and help those affected by the disaster.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on official statements, eyewitness accounts, and media reports. Gccnews24 has not independently verified all details.