According to the reports on Friday (26 September), rescue workers in Taiwan are battling through thick mud to find seven people still missing after Super Typhoon Ragasa triggered catastrophic flooding in Hualien county. The death toll has risen to 15 as heavy rains caused a barrier lake in the mountains to overflow on Tuesday, sending a powerful surge of mud and water into the town of Guangfu. Although the floodwaters have receded, large portions of the area remain buried in dark grey sludge, hampering rescue operations and daily life for residents.
Emergency teams, often wading through waist-deep mud, have been forced to cut holes in building roofs to search for survivors and recover bodies. Many victims were elderly and unable to escape in time, despite government warnings to move to higher ground. One man reported losing his sister, who died trapped inside her house as it filled with mud, while others described the frantic efforts to reach safety as the flood surged unexpectedly.
Experts say the disaster was unusual because the floodwaters carried an exceptionally high load of sediment, making the surge more forceful and destructive than typical typhoon-related floods in Taiwan. Lu Jing-chien, a disaster management professor, noted that authorities may not have anticipated the sheer amount of sand and mud swept downstream by the overflowing barrier lake, which was formed by previous typhoons. The sudden collapse of natural blockages in the river created a dangerous rush of water and debris.
Officials are now grappling with how to manage the unstable barrier lake, which has shrunk to just 8% of its previous water volume but still poses a threat of further flooding. The government has ruled out using explosives to break the natural dam, fearing it could trigger additional landslides and worsen the situation. While Hualien is known for its scenic beauty and tourism, the disaster has largely spared Taiwan’s vital semiconductor industry, which is located on the island’s western side.
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Taiwan rescuers slog through deadly mud as search continues for missing after Ragasa
