Typhoon Ragasa: 14 Killed, 129 Missing After Barrier Lake Bursts In Taiwan
Typhoon Ragasa: 14 Killed, 129 Missing After Barrier Lake Bursts In Taiwan
At least 14 people were killed and 129 went missing in Taiwan's Hualien County after a barrier lake overflowed, washing away a bridge and unleashing a torrent of water on the township of Guangfu during Typhoon Ragasa, officials said on Wednesday.
Since Monday, Taiwan has been lashed by the outer rim of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which is now affecting China's southern coast and Hong Kong.
The lake, formed by landslides after days of heavy rain, burst its banks on Tuesday afternoon, sending a wall of water crashing into Guangfu. The water hit like a “tsunami," said Hsieh Chien-tung, a local postman, who escaped to the second floor of his post office. Returning home, he found his car inside his living room, news agency Reuters reported.
All casualties were reported in Guangfu, where floodwaters swept away a key bridge.
On Wednesday morning, flood sirens blared again, prompting urgent evacuations as residents and rescuers shouted, “the flood waters are coming, run fast". Across Taiwan, more than 7,600 people were evacuated due to Typhoon Ragasa, according to news agency AFP.
Meanwhile, the military has deployed 340 troops to assist, while rescue teams from across Taiwan have been dispatched. Soldiers used armoured personnel carriers to navigate mud-clogged streets, distributing water and food.
About 60 per cent of Guangfu's 8,700 residents took shelter on higher floors of their homes; others relocated to stay with relatives.
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The government said around 60 million tonnes of water were released from the lake, which contained 91 million tonnes of water, enough to fill about 36,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools and the equivalent of a major reservoir in southern Taiwan.
In a rare move, China's Taiwan Affairs Office extended condolences. China views Taiwan as its own territory, despite the strong objections of the island's democratically-elected government. Hualien, known for its scenic beauty and indigenous Amis community, remains one of Taiwan's top tourist destinations.
Source: News18
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