Super Typhoon Ragasa: 14 dead, 124 missing as barrier lake bursts in Taiwan

Ragasa, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane at its peak, generated sustained winds of over 267 kph (165 mph) and could be seen from space.

At least 14 people have died and 124 remain missing in Taiwan after a decades-old barrier lake burst in Hualien County amid torrential rains brought by Super Typhoon Ragasa, officials said on Wednesday. The disaster has left towns in eastern Taiwan submerged in mud and debris, while the storm continues to batter southern China and Hong Kong.

The barrier lake, located in the mountainous region of Hualien, gave way on Tuesday, unleashing a torrent of water that destroyed a bridge and swept through the township of Guangfu. The waters rose within minutes, leaving streets coated in thick mud and debris.

The lake, estimated to contain 91 million tonnes of water, released approximately 60 million tonnes in the flood. Roughly 60 percent of Guangfu’s population, about 5,200 people, sought refuge on higher floors of their homes, while others evacuated to shelters.

The disaster has left many stranded as roads were washed away and bridges collapsed.

Hualien County officials confirmed 14 deaths and 18 injuries, while the National Fire Agency reported 124 people missing. The government deployed 340 troops to assist in rescue operations, using armored vehicles to navigate the mud and deliver emergency supplies, including water and food, door-to-door.

As per the locals, the sheer speed of the flooding left little time for vertical evacuation, highlighting the storm’s unexpected intensity in Taiwan’s eastern regions.

In the meantime, Typhoon Ragasa continued its destructive path towards southern China, lashing Hong Kong with hurricane-force winds, torrential rain, and storm surges up to 4 meters. The Hong Kong Observatory issued its highest-level typhoon warning (T10), prompting the closure of schools, businesses, and public transportation.

At least six injuries were reported in Hong Kong, alongside landslides and extensive property damage. According to authorities, over 760 people took refuge in temporary shelters across the city.

Macau also faced flooding and power disruptions in low-lying areas. Officials in southern Guangdong province evacuated over a million people and moved 10,000 vessels to safer waters as Ragasa approached the coast. Tens of thousands of firefighters and emergency personnel were deployed to monitor potential damage and respond to emergencies.

The storm initially made landfall in the northern Philippines as a super typhoon, locally called Nando. The northern provinces, including Cagayan, Batanes, and Luzon, experienced devastating flooding and landslides. At least four deaths have been reported in the Philippines, along with widespread property damage.

Images from Calayan Island showed homes with roofs ripped off, fallen trees, and boats washed ashore. Landslides in Benguet killed one person and injured several others. More than 24,000 residents were evacuated across northern and central Luzon.

Ragasa, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane at its peak, generated sustained winds of over 267 kph (165 mph) and could be seen from space.

Despite the devastation, authorities have noted that the region is relatively well-prepared. Hong Kong’s advanced drainage systems, extensive shelters, and early warning protocols have mitigated potential fatalities. Ragasa is the ninth typhoon to hit the region in 2025, exceeding the city’s typical annual average of six typhoons.

Taiwan’s eastern coast witnessed over 70 cm (28 inches) of rainfall, though the populous west coast, home to the semiconductor industry, remained largely unaffected. Comparisons have been drawn with Typhoon Morakot in 2009, which killed around 700 people in southern Taiwan and caused $3 billion in damage.

Typhoon Ragasa is expected to continue moving westward, passing south of Hong Kong and Macau before making landfall in western Guangdong on Wednesday afternoon local time. Authorities have warned of continuing heavy rains, strong winds, and potential flooding across southern China.

The storm has already disrupted flights, shipping, and rail transport across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China, affecting tens of millions of residents. Emergency teams continue search and rescue operations in Hualien and other impacted areas, while regional governments work to evacuate populations and mitigate further losses.