Three Dead in the Philippines
Tension Rises as Typhoon Nears Southern China and Hong Kong
Over 700 Flights Canceled, City Effectively Shut Down
Super typhoon No. 18, Ragasa, struck Taiwan, causing floods in the eastern region that have resulted in at least 14 deaths and 124 people missing. Ragasa is the name of the typhoon submitted by the Philippines, meaning "fast" or "acceleration."
On September 24 (local time), Yonhap News, citing AP News, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, and Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA), reported that 14 people died in floods in Hualien County, Taiwan. Most of the deceased were identified as elderly.
Super typhoon No. 18, Ragas, struck Taiwan, causing floods in the eastern region resulting in at least 14 deaths and 124 missing persons. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
The day before, at around 3 p.m., a landslide caused debris to block a river, forming a temporary lake called Yanseok Lake, which quickly overflowed. The floodwaters then destroyed a bridge over the Mataian River and unleashed a massive amount of water into Guangfu Township, greatly increasing the damage. This village has a population of only 8,500, and about 60% of residents stayed on the upper floors of their buildings to prepare for the typhoon, while the rest evacuated to other areas. Taiwanese authorities stated, "The entire Dama Village in Guangfu Township, home to 1,000 people, has been submerged, and many remain isolated. The most important task is to safely move people to shelters, but supplies are currently unable to reach the area." According to Taiwan's National Fire Agency, the lake's volume was estimated at 91 million tons, enough to fill about 36,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. During the flood, approximately 60 million tons of water were released. As Ragasa grazed the edge of Taiwan along its path, it dumped about 700 mm of rain on eastern Taiwan. In the Philippines, three deaths have also been attributed to Ragasa.
Hong Kong and China Raise Typhoon Alert to Highest Level
As the typhoon moves toward the southern coast of China and Hong Kong, these areas are also on high alert. In Hong Kong, over 700 flights have been canceled due to the typhoon's impact, effectively shutting down the city. Kindergartens, elementary schools, and middle schools have been closed since the 22nd. At 2:40 a.m. that day, the Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 10 typhoon warning signal, which is the highest alert level. At its peak, Ragasa's central wind speed reached up to 220 km/h. It was forecast to move west or west-northwest at about 22 km/h.
As the typhoon moves toward the southern coast of China and Hong Kong, these areas are also on high alert. In Hong Kong, over 700 flights have been canceled due to the typhoon's impact, effectively shutting down the city. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
At 3:24 p.m. the previous day in Hong Kong, a family of three who were watching the waves from the breakwater at the Chai Wan waterfront were swept into the water by the waves but were rescued. The mother and five-year-old son remain in critical condition, and the father, who entered the water to save them, is also receiving treatment. Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, as well as the rest of Guangdong Province in southern China, has also activated emergency response measures. More than 1 million people have been evacuated across Guangdong Province, and schools and factories in 12 cities have closed, with public transportation suspended. On Chinese social media, images of empty shelves at supermarkets and grocery stores in the Guangdong area have been widely shared due to panic buying.
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