Typhoon Ragasa leaves 17 dead, several missing in Taiwan, kills 9 in Philippines

• Chinese authorities evacuate over 1 million people in Guangdong province as Ragasa approaches

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The death toll from Typhoon Ragasa in Taiwan climbed to 17, with several people still missing after the super typhoon triggered floods, reported Taiwan News on Wednesday, citing government sources.

The heavy rainfall on Tuesday caused the Matai’an Creek Barrier Lake to overflow, sending torrents of water into Guangfu Township in Hualien County, inundating streets nearly one story high, and carrying away vehicles, according to the Central News Agency.

Sections of the Matai’an River Bridge were also washed away.

Rescue teams are struggling to locate the 17 missing people.

So far, 32 people have been injured due to rain- and flood-related incidents.

Authorities also evacuated more than 3,000 people to a safe location from Guangfu, Fenglin, and Wanrong townships.

Emergency officials warned the number of casualties could rise as assessments and searches for missing people continue.

In the Philippines, authorities confirmed that at least nine people have been killed by Super Typhoon Ragasa since Tuesday, after seven more bodies were recovered from a capsized fishing vessel off San Vicente, Santa Ana, Cagayan on Wednesday.

The Philippine Coast Guard District Northeastern Luzon (CGDNEL) said all 13 crew members have now been accounted for, correcting earlier reports that mistakenly indicated 14 people were onboard, according to local media outlet Inquirer.

It said the fishermen were attempting to seek shelter at San Vicente Port when massive waves struck their vessel.

China relocates over 1M people

Chinese authorities relocated more than 1 million people to safe locations after South China’s Guangdong province raised its typhoon emergency response to the highest level as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches, with landfall expected along the central or western coast on Wednesday, according to state-run media.

So far, more than 1.04 million people have been relocated, and over 80,000 fishing boats have been secured in ports, Xinhua News reported.

Nearly 12,300 offshore workers have also been brought ashore as the storm, packing winds of up to 55 meters per second (123 miles per hour), advances toward the Pearl River Delta.

Authorities suspended school classes, businesses, factories and transport in more than 10 cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Dongguan.

Zhuhai imposed citywide traffic controls late Tuesday, banning nonessential vehicles and urging residents to remain indoors.

Authorities also deployed hundreds of rescue personnel, firefighters and emergency workers, while the China National Offshore Oil Corporation evacuated over 5,000 staff from its South China Sea platforms.

In Hong Kong, Super Typhoon Ragasa, with heavy winds and towering waves, caused destruction.

Heavy rain and flood caused widespread chaos as glass doors of the Fullerton Hotel Ocean Park shattered, flooding its lobby, according to the South China Morning Post.

A barge was driven ashore, while powerful gusts ripped air-conditioning units from buildings.

Authorities said so far 62 people have been injured and over 800 evacuated to safe places across the city.

The typhoon also disrupted flight operations, as around 1,000 flights have been affected since Tuesday, while no passenger flights were taking off on Wednesday.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid