Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
A massive flood hit Hualien county in eastern Taiwan after a barrier lake burst due to Super Typhoon Ragasa. At least 14 people have died, and 124 are still missing. The disaster struck Guangfu township on Tuesday afternoon, sending a huge wall of water downstream.
Lake Burst Unleashes Disaster
Officials said the barrier lake was formed by landslides and had filled with rainwater from the typhoon. It held around 91 million tonnes of water, equal to 36,000 Olympic swimming pools. When it broke, nearly 60 million tonnes rushed into the township, sweeping away homes and lives.
Survivors Escape Floodwaters
Government figures show that about 60% of the 8,500 residents of Guangfu survived by moving to the upper floors of their houses in what is called “vertical evacuation.” Others escaped to stay with relatives before the floodwaters arrived.
Rising Death Toll In Taiwan
Taiwan’s fire department confirmed on Wednesday that 124 people are still unaccounted for in Hualien, which is the worst-hit area. The island has been receiving nonstop heavy rain since Monday, with Hualien alone getting 70 cm (28 inches) of rainfall.
Tragedy Reminds Of Past Storms
The disaster is being compared to Typhoon Morakot in 2009, which killed nearly 700 people in southern Taiwan and caused about $3 billion in damage. Many fear Ragasa could leave behind a similar trail of destruction.
Storm Heads Toward China And Hong Kong
While Taiwan struggles with the damage, southern China and Hong Kong are preparing for Ragasa’s arrival. Local governments have closed schools, stopped businesses, canceled flights, and moved over one million people to safer areas in Guangdong province.
Rising Seas In Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, sea waves as high as 2 to 3 meters (6.5 to 9.8 feet) were seen along the promenade. Authorities rescued three people, including a child, from the waters. Police are closely monitoring the situation as water levels continue to rise.
Typhoon’s Speed And Power
The Hong Kong Observatory said Ragasa has maximum winds of 195 kph (120 mph) and is moving west-northwest at 22 kph (13.7 mph) across the northern South China Sea. The storm is getting closer to Guangdong province.
China Issues Landfall Warning
China’s National Meteorological Center warned that Ragasa will likely hit land between Taishan and Zhanjiang in Guangdong province by Wednesday evening. Heavy rainfall is expected across Guangdong and Fujian. Officials said water levels could be as dangerous as those during Typhoon Hato in 2017 and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, which caused billions in losses.
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