While Taiwan grappled with this unique flood, Typhoon Ragasa made its official landfall in southern China. It hit Hailing Island near Yangjiang city in Guangdong province. This occurred around 5:00 PM local time. Winds near its center blew at about 144 kilometers per hour. Chinese authorities moved over 1.89 million people in Guangdong to safety.
Before reaching China’s mainland, Ragasa had been a super typhoon. The Hong Kong Observatory noted it had weakened to a severe typhoon. Still, powerful gusts and strong winds battered parts of Hong Kong. At least 62 people there suffered injuries.
Back in Taiwan, the floodwaters were immense. They came from the Matatun Lagoon, a lake high in the mountains. This lake overflowed its banks, sending a massive amount of water into Guangfu. One crucial river bridge in the town was destroyed by the powerful current.
Taiwan’s government shared details about the flood’s impact on Guangfu. About 5,200 residents sought refuge on upper floors of their homes. This was roughly 60% of the town’s population. Many others found safety with relatives. The Matatun Lagoon held an estimated 15.4 million tons of water. That’s enough to fill about 36,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The Matatun Lagoon itself was a new feature. It formed after a huge landslide, triggered by Typhoon Vipa in July. Clearing this new lake was difficult for officials. The tricky mountain landscape made access very challenging.
The floodwaters in Guangfu have now gone down. However, a thick layer of mud and debris covers everything. Search teams are still working hard to find the missing people. This disaster has caused deep concern across Taiwan. Many citizens have shown support for the Hualien residents. Social media platforms filled with messages of encouragement. People called for donations and for better local infrastructure.
Source: BBC