Super Typhoon Ragasa: Death, Destruction, and Evacuations Across East Asia
Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the strongest storms in recent years, has wreaked havoc across East Asia, causing 14 deaths and leaving 124 people missing in Taiwan, while also triggering mass evacuations in China and Hong Kong. These figures, reported by various international media, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera English, highlight the widespread destruction caused by this powerful storm. Taiwan's Hualien county and the city of Guangfu were particularly hard-hit, with the natural barrier lake bursting its banks and causing deadly flooding.
The Impact in Taiwan
Typhoon Ragasa hit Taiwan with torrential rains, causing a dam breach and resulting in a flood that swept through the township of Guangfu, according to reports by Corriere della Sera and TASS. Taiwan's National Fire Agency confirmed that all the dead and missing were in Guangfu, where a major road bridge across a river was washed away, as reported by Japan Times. The bursting of the barrier lake, formed several years ago by a landslide, flooded the nearby town and resulted in the tragic loss of lives, according to Le Monde.
The Reaction and Aftermath
In response to the disaster, Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai has called for an inquiry into the evacuation orders' execution in the affected areas. According to The Guardian, residents in Guangfu claimed there was insufficient warning when the lake overflowed during the torrential rains brought by Super Typhoon Ragasa. The Premier emphasized the need for an investigation into why the evacuation orders were not adequately carried out.
Threat to Hong Kong and China
As the typhoon continues its path, Hong Kong and southern China are bracing for impact. Schools and businesses have been closed, flights have been canceled, and preparations for mass evacuations are underway, as reported by Sky News World and The Guardian. The South China Morning Post reported that Hong Kong's highest storm warning, a No 10 signal, has been triggered by the approach of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which has maximum sustained wind speeds of 185km/h (115mph) or above near its center.
Conclusion
As East Asia struggles to cope with the devastation wrought by Super Typhoon Ragasa, the focus now turns to the impending impact on Hong Kong and southern China. The full extent of the aftermath in Taiwan is still unfolding, with rescue operations ongoing for the missing individuals. The disaster has raised questions about disaster preparedness in the region, and how effectively warnings and evacuation orders were communicated and executed. As the storm continues its destructive path, the need for effective disaster mitigation strategies is more evident than ever.