TAIPEI — Fears of fresh flooding gripped residents in eastern Taiwan today as the death toll from the devastating floods caused by Super Typhoon Ragasa reached at least 17, with over 100 people still missing. Taiwan’s Premier, Cho Jung-tai, has ordered an immediate inquiry into what went wrong with evacuation orders, as officials and residents alike expressed shock at the rapid and deadly surge of floodwaters.
The disaster struck the town of Guangfu in the scenic Hualien County when a barrier lake, formed by earlier landslides, suddenly burst its banks. Witnesses described the water hitting like a “tsunami,” engulfing streets and sweeping away vehicles and a major road bridge. According to fire officials, most of the deceased were elderly residents who were unable to escape the rising floodwaters that, in some areas, reached the second floor of houses within minutes.
Despite fears of a new overflow, deputy disaster command centre chief Huang Chao-chin said that with rainfall easing and much of the lake’s water having already been released, a repeat of yesterday’s mass flooding was not expected. However, precautionary evacuations were urged, and a new flood warning sounded in Guangfu, sending some residents back to emergency shelters. Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang has maintained a “red-level” debris flow alert, warning that saturated mountain soil remains prone to landslides.
In the aftermath, rescue and cleanup efforts are in full swing. The military has dispatched 340 troops to assist, using armoured personnel carriers to navigate through thick mud and go door-to-door handing out water and instant noodles. Residents and volunteers have also begun the arduous task of shovelling mud from their homes and properties.
The Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) confirmed that all 17 bodies recovered so far were found in Guangfu. Over 7,600 people were evacuated across the island due to the typhoon, and hundreds have been relocated to shelters. While the typhoon has now been downgraded and is battering China and Hong Kong, the devastation left in its wake in Taiwan has prompted serious questions about disaster preparedness and mandatory evacuation policies.
