Ragasa, one of the strongest storms in years, also caused major damage and injuries in Hong Kong. In southern China, more than a million people were evacuated, ahead of its landfall.A lake burst caused by Super Typhoon Ragasa killed at least 14 people and left 124 others missing in eastern Taiwan, officials said on Wednesday.
Taiwan has been hit hard by Ragasa, one of the strongest storms in years, which has already caused deaths in the Philippines and is now lashing Hong Kong.
The lake in Hualien County overflowed on Tuesday and sent torrents of mud and water through Guangfu township, inundating villages and sweeping away a major bridge.
The village chief, Wang Tse-an, told the Reuters news agency that many people in the township were still stranded. “There are mud and rocks everywhere. Some flooding has subsided, but some remains,” Wang said.
The military deployed over 300 troops to assist rescue efforts.
The typhoon brought about 70 cm (28 inches) of rain to Taiwan’s east, while sparing the more populous west coast.
Storm hits Hong Kong
The storm struck Hong Kong early Wednesday with winds of up to 195 kph (120 mph), toppling trees, flooding coastal neighborhoods and forcing people to seek refuge in temporary shelters.
Authorities reported at least 13 injuries and suspended flights, schools and train services.
The storm also caused infrastructure damage as it ripped off the top of a pedestrian footbridge.
The Hong Kong Observatory warned of a “significant” storm surge with “two to three meters of rise in water level expected over the coast of Hong Kong.”
Earlier, the observatory issued the highest level of typhoon warning overnight.
South China braces for landfall
Meanwhile, Ragasa forced the relocation of more than a million people in southern China’s Guangdong province.
The storm is forecast to make landfall later on Wednesday between the cities of Taishan and Zhanjiang, the national weather agency said.
Chinese authorities have ordered businesses and schools to shut down in at least 10 cities across the south.
Ragasa has battered the region since Monday.
In the northern Philippines, three people have been killed, with thousands displaced by floods and landslides, officials said.
Disclaimer: The story “Super Typhoon Ragasa leaves several dead in Taiwan” first appeared on Deutsche Welle World and is syndicated via Digpu & NewsTex.