Taiwan Revises Typhoon Ragasa Death Toll Down to 14 as China Begins Recovery Efforts
TAIPEI, Taiwan – September 26, 2025 – Taiwan has adjusted teh confirmed death toll from Typhoon Ragasa down to 14, a reduction of three from the previously reported 17, as authorities refine casualty counts following the storm’s impact on the island’s east coast.The hualien County Fire Department announced the revision on Thursday, attributing the initial overcount to double-reporting as assessments of damage in remote areas continue. The number of missing persons was also lowered significantly, from 152 to 33, as contact is re-established with previously unaccounted for individuals.
The deaths were primarily caused by flooding in Hualien County, triggered by heavy rainfall from Ragasa’s outer bands which caused a barrier lake to overflow, sending a surge of water into the town of Guangfu. Taiwan Premier Cho jung-tai has called for a thorough examination into the deaths,particularly those occurring on the ground floors of buildings,and emphasized the urgency of locating those still missing,stating authorities must “seize the golden rescue window.”
While the train station in Guangfu has resumed operations, the main highway remains impassable due to a bridge washed away by floodwaters.President william Lai Ching-te has pledged to donate a month’s salary to relief efforts for displaced residents and is scheduled to visit the disaster zone on Thursday.
China Cleanup Underway
Across the Taiwan Strait, cleanup efforts are underway in mainland China after Ragasa made landfall in Guangdong province late Wednesday with winds reaching up to 145km/h (90mph). Reports from the AFP news agency show fallen trees and debris scattered across streets near the city of Yangjiang.
Authorities have not yet reported any storm-related fatalities in China. on Hailing Island, administered by Yangjiang, workers are focused on clearing a large tree that fell across a major road. The island, a popular tourist destination, relies heavily on tourism revenue.
Prior to the storm’s arrival, authorities ordered the closure of businesses and schools in at least 10 cities across southern China, impacting tens of millions of people. while nearly 2.2 million people in Guangdong were relocated by Wednesday afternoon, some cities have begun lifting restrictions.
As of Thursday morning, ragasa had weakened to a tropical storm with sustained winds of 65km/h (40mph) after making a second landfall in Beihai, Guangxi. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reports the storm is forecast to dissipate, but remains a threat for heavy rainfall in Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. Chinese authorities have allocated approximately $49 million USD to support rescue and relief operations, according to Xinhua news agency.
