Taiwan Reels from Flooding as China Prepares for Super Typhoon Ragasa
Hualien, Taiwan – Residents of Hualien County are assessing widespread damage after devastating floods swept through the region, triggered by a burst lake bank. The flooding occurred as authorities evacuated some residents ahead of the arrival of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which is now threatening mainland China. At least 14 peopel have been killed in Taiwan, adn the full extent of the damage is still being determined.
The rapid onset of the flooding caught many off guard, despite prior evacuations. Awa, who runs a bookstore in Guangfu Township with her husband Moli Ka’ti, described the scene as “like a river outside and cars were floating in the water.” Their bookstore, established in 2020 to preserve the history of Indigenous people and recently relocated, is now submerged in mud, with irreplaceable out-of-print books lost to the deluge. The couple spent the night at an evacuation center, joining many others from the Amis community and beyond.
“We found out from the internet that some nearby areas had been flooded, so we were moving our critically important belongings to the second floor,” Awa said. “Then we tried to get to our car and drive away from the scene but it was too late. Everything started drifting.”
The disaster underscores Taiwan’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, particularly during typhoon season. As Taiwan begins the recovery process, China is now bracing for ragasa’s impact, having evacuated nearly two million people from coastal areas.The typhoon is expected to make landfall in Fujian province, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds. Authorities are prioritizing the safety of vulnerable populations and have mobilized emergency response teams to mitigate potential damage.
