Typhoon Ragasa killed 15 in Taiwan, 9 in Philippines; Manila braces storm Bualoi
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – The authorities on Thursday have said at least 15 people were killed and approx 46 people sustained injuries in Taiwan after Typhoon Ragasa brought torrential rainfall, as it made landfall in China.
According to media reports Typhoon Ragasa killed 15 in Taiwan, 9 in Philippines; millions evacuated in China as storm moves toward Vietnam. Philippines braces for Storm Bualoi.
The tropical cyclone Ragasa had formed last week over the Pacific Ocean rapidly intensified to become a Category 5 super typhoon with winds exceeding 260kph (162mph).
It made landfall in the Philippines on Monday before making its way to Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.
Ragasa was downgraded from a super to a severe typhoon on Wednesday and has moved along the southern Chinese coast toward Vietnam today.
Taiwan’s national fire agency revised the death toll reported toll of 17, Focus Taiwan said.
The storm had killed at least 15 people all in Hualien County, it said, added that 31 people are missing.
Philippines is bracing up for the Severe Tropical Storm Bualoi (locally known as Opong), with several airlines cancelling or rescheduling their flights, PNA reported.
Philippines weather department advisory said Opong was spotted 365 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar and is expected to directly hit Luzon on September 26.
The country’s Department of Social Welfare and Development said that standby funds and stockpiles, which include 2.5 million family food packs and other non-food item have been strategically prepositioned across all areas of the country.
The Philippines authorities confirmed that at least nine people have been killed by Super Typhoon Ragasa after seven more bodies were recovered from a capsized fishing vessel off Cagayan .
Philippine Coast Guard said that 13 fishermen were confirmed to be on board when the fishing boat took shelter from the onslaught of Super Typhoon Ragasa but later capsized after massive waves struck their vessel, the Philippine News Agency said.
According to Taiwan’s Central Emergency Operation Centre, search and rescue operations are continuing after a barrier lake in the mountains above Guangfu Township burst its banks during heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Ragasa.
Two patients had died after being unable to reach medical care due to flooding, while nearly 300 others remained stranded, the state media reported.
Authorities in Guangdong Province, in southern China, evacuated 2.16 million of its locals as Typhoon Ragasa, which made landfall on the coast of Hailing Island in the province at about 5 pm on Wednesday, Chinese state media Xinhua reported.
Chinese authorities reported that Ragasa, the most powerful typhoon to hit China this year reached sustained wind speeds of 165 miles per hour on Monday, made it the most powerful storm in the world so far this year.
It crossed China with sustained winds of 144km/h and higher gusts, the authorities noted.
Hong Kong is returning to normal with authorities clearing the backlog of 1,000 flights with light disruptions at the Hong Kong airport over the past few days.
Public transport including the metro rail services and schools were suspended.
The Vietnam news agency said that Ragasa weakened but continues to pose serious risks for the country’ northern coastal provinces.
Ragasa is forecast to keep moving west at about 20km per hour and gradually weaken into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
Wind speeds near the eye reached level 9 (75-88km per hour), with gusts up to level 11.
Heavy rain has been forecast across the northern region of the country.
