Typhoon Ragasa Kills at Least 14 After Dam Overflows in Eastern Taiwan
Typhoon Ragasa has left at least 14 people dead after a dam overflowed in eastern Taiwan. Over 100 people are still missing. Rescue personnel from around the country have converged on the remote Guangfu Township in Hualien County to assist in recovery efforts.
REPORTER:
A resident screams as the Matai’an Creek Bridge in Hualien is swept away by heavy rains from Typhoon Ragasa. It’s now the deadliest typhoon to hit the country in years with at least 14 people reported dead, after a nearby barrier lake burst its banks twice on Tuesday, with the floodwater reaching close to one story high.
Oh my god, it’s going to flood.
Residents clung to pillars and climbed on to their roofs to try to avoid the muddy floodwaters.
Others appeared to be stuck in cars that were swept away.
Someone’s inside the white car, I don’t know about the grey one, though.
The remote Guangfu Township has seen the most casualties, including several elderly people found by rescue teams on the first floors of their homes. Over a hundred people are still missing.
Flood Victim’s Daughter:
My mother drowned in the floodwaters. Her body is still in our house. It was all covered in mud.
REPORTER:
In a post on social media, President Lai Ching-te said the military would help local governments with rescue and recovery efforts, and multiple ministries are also helping with cleaning up the floodwaters.
Fire departments from around the country sent emergency personnel to help out.
Premier Cho Jung-tai went to Guangfu Township on Wednesday morning to oversee recovery efforts.
And Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao also came to the area to check on displaced residents.
Traffic into the township via train has resumed, but while the worst of the storm has passed, residents are still urged to be careful.
Liu Chung-hsien (FORESTRY AND CONSERVATION AGENCY, AGRICULTURE MINISTRY):
Considering the risk of another breach, it's not recommended to go near the river.
REPORTER:
The storm has left Taiwan, and is expected to hit Hong Kong and China’s Guangdong province hard. Although the full extent of its damage is yet to be seen, it's already left a heavy toll on Taiwan.
