Super Typhoon Ragasa Leaves 14 Dead and 124 Missing in Taiwan
The webangah News Agency reports,citing Al Jazeera via Mehr News Agency,that the super typhoon Ragasca and heavy rainfall caused a lake in eastern Taiwan to overflow,resulting in the deaths of at least 14 people.
The fire department in Hualien County announced that 124 individuals remain missing following the disaster. Most victims were elderly residents unable to escape the sudden flooding.
Additionally, 34 people have been injured.Search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate those unaccounted for.
Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) stated that the lake-formed by displaced debris from previous rains-began overflowing yesterday morning and worsened by evening.
Super Typhoon Ragasca moved southward earlier this week, striking Taiwan and its surrounding remote islands with strong winds and intense rainfall.
More than 160 flights at Taiwan’s Taoyuan international Airport have been canceled so far. Train services and marine transportation in some areas have also been suspended due to severe weather conditions.
In neighboring Hong Kong, meteorological authorities issued their highest storm warning signal (T10) today as Ragasca passed southwest of the autonomous region at speeds up to 150 km/h. Officials also warned of potential landslides triggered by heavy rain.
The Hong Kong free Press reported that over 700 flights are expected to be grounded as of the storm’s impact.
A video released by Russia Today shows floodwaters breaching glass doors of a hotel in Hong Kong, with guests seen floating inside amid rising waters.
