Typhoon Ragasa Devastates Taiwan and Southern China

Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the world’s most powerful storms this year, swept from the Philippines to Taiwan before striking Hong Kong and southern China, bringing hurricane-force winds, storm surges, heavy rain, landslides and widespread flooding. In eastern Taiwan a barrier lake in Hualien burst, washing away a bridge and flooding Guangfu township; authorities reported at least 17 dead, dozens injured and more than 150 people missing in some hard-hit areas, with helicopters, boats and firefighters deployed for rescues. In southern China and Hong Kong officials ordered mass evacuations and moved nearly two million people from vulnerable coastal and urban areas, and Guangdong was placed under high wind and red wave warnings as transport, schools and businesses shut down. Air travel and other transport were widely disrupted with hundreds of flights canceled across China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and footage showed seawater breaching locations in Hong Kong. Authorities opened emergency shelters, prepositioned relief supplies and mobilized response teams, while experts warned climate change is increasing the likelihood of such powerful typhoons.