Typhoon Ragasa Leaves 14 Dead in Taiwan, China Begins Post-Storm Cleanup

AFP

Hualien, Taiwan, on September 24, 2025

Taiwanese authorities have revised the death toll from Super Typhoon Ragasa, reducing it from 17 to 14, after investigations revealed some casualties had been double-counted. The number of people reported missing has also dropped to 33 from an earlier 152, following updates from search and rescue teams.

The typhoon’s outer bands caused heavy rainfall in Hualien County, leading to the overflow of a barrier lake in the mountains and a destructive flood through the town of Guangfu. In Hong Kong, the storm brought severe flooding, widespread property damage, and significant travel disruption, with hundreds of flights cancelled. Over 760 residents sought shelter in emergency centres, while a five-year-old boy and his mother were reported in critical condition after being swept into the sea.

As Ragasa moved into southern China, nearly two million residents in Guangdong province were evacuated from flood-prone areas. Hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall prompted a rare red storm surge warning, with waves forecast to reach up to 2.8 metres along the coast.

The typhoon also impacted the northern Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia. Meteorologists have warned that climate change may be contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region. Although Ragasa has now weakened into a tropical storm, heavy rainfall continues to pose risks in Vietnam and neighbouring countries.

Authorities in China have begun large-scale clean-up operations, while emergency services in affected areas continue rescue efforts. The destruction caused by Typhoon Ragasa highlights the pressing need for enhanced disaster preparedness and regional cooperation to mitigate the effects of future storms.

Sources: Al-Jazeera, AP, and the Independent 


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