Super Typhoon Ragasa leaves devastation across China, Taiwan, Philippines

After leaving a trail of destruction in Taiwan and the Philippines, Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms to strike Asia recently, has hurled waves higher than lampposts across Hong Kong’s promenades and churned coastal waters along southern China.

In northern Philippines, 10 fatalities were confirmed, while in Taiwan, the death toll increased to 14 after floodwaters submerged roads and flooded vehicles.

More than two million people were evacuated in Guangdong province, the southern hub of China, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

Authorities in the Guangxi region suspended a few trains on Thursday as Ragasa moves westward. Authorities in China have funded disaster relief efforts with tens of millions of dollars.

Around 12 cities had their schools, factories, and transportation services temporarily suspended, but some places farther away from the landfall site began preparations to resume operations as the wind intensity decreased.

As it crossed the border between Taiwan and the Philippines, Ragasa inflicted casualties and destruction on both countries before reaching China.

A barrier lake in Hualien County overflows on Tuesday, leading to a death toll in Taiwan of 14 after violent rains flooded muddy floodwaters that flooded Guangfu township roads and dragged away people’s belongings.

More than half of Guangfu’s 8,450 residents were able to seek refuge on higher floors or in higher ground.

More than 100 previously unreachable people were reached by rescue teams in Hualien, and the remaining 17 residents were subjected to door-to-door surveillance. 32 people were hurt across the island that was self-ruled.

Seven fishermen perished on Monday when massive waves and strong winds capsized their boat off Santa Ana in northern Cagayan province, killing at least 10 people, including seven fishermen who perished in the area. According to provincial officials, five more fishermen are still missing.