Typhoon Ragasa has plunged Taiwan into widespread devastation. Flooding caused by a lake breach in Hualien County has claimed dozens of lives, with 14 confirmed deaths, 124 people missing, and thousands rendered homeless so far.
Ragasa Typhoon: Taiwan is currently enduring nature's most severe onslaught. Typhoon Ragasa (Typhoon Ragasa) has caused such widespread destruction in Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, that the entire area has become a scene of ruin. According to government reports, 14 people have died and 124 are missing so far. Many homes have been washed away, settlements evacuated, and thousands of people separated from their families.
Lake Formed by Heavy Rains Becomes a Cause of Death
This tragedy began with a landslide (landslide) after heavy rainfall. Debris falling from the mountains created a temporary lake in Hualien County. Continuous rain for several days caused the water level in this lake to rise. On Tuesday, the lake's embankment suddenly breached, and approximately 60 million tons of water, out of an estimated 90 million tons, surged out. This water spread as a flood into the nearby Guangfu Township (Guangfu Township), submerging the entire area in no time.
Guangfu Township Most Severely Affected
According to local administration, Guangfu Township was the most severely affected by this flood. Approximately 60 percent of its 8,500 residents are forced to take refuge on the upper floors of their homes. The remaining residents have moved to their relatives' places for safety. Several parts of the village are completely submerged, making it extremely difficult for rescue teams to reach them.
Challenges in Relief and Rescue Operations
Taiwan's Fire Service Department reported on Wednesday that relief and rescue operations are continuously underway, but teams are facing difficulties due to incessant rain and damaged roads. Stranded individuals are being evacuated with the help of helicopters and boats. However, hundreds of people are still missing, and many families are searching for their loved ones.
Ragasa Recalls Memories of 2009
The devastation caused by Typhoon Ragasa has reminded Taiwan of the dreadful disaster of 2009, when Typhoon Morakot (Typhoon Morakot) wreaked havoc in southern Taiwan. That typhoon resulted in the deaths of approximately 700 people and caused nearly $3 billion in damages. Experts believe that the disaster caused by Ragasa could be on a similar scale if the situation is not brought under control in time.
Government Initiates Emergency Plans
The Taiwanese government has declared an emergency in the affected areas. Relief camps (Relief Camps) are being set up, and thousands of people are being relocated there. Food supplies, water, and medicines are being delivered. The Prime Minister has stated that every possible effort will be made to safely evacuate people as quickly as possible and to provide financial assistance to families who have lost loved ones.
Experts believe that the intensity of such severe typhoons (Severe Typhoons) and rainfall is linked to climate change (Climate Change). Previously, such typhoons occurred in Taiwan every few years, but now their frequency and strength are increasing. This situation could become even more severe in the future if global warming (Global Warming) is not controlled.
