Taiwan Lake Bursts as Super Typhoon Ragasa Barrels Toward China

Taiwan Lake Bursts as Super Typhoon Ragasa Barrels Toward China

Taipei / Hualien, Taiwan — September 23, 2025 — A decades-old barrier lake in eastern Taiwan burst its banks on Tuesday amid torrential rain from Super Typhoon Ragasa, causing flash flooding that killed at least two people, left dozens missing, and trapped hundreds. The storm is now moving toward southern China, where authorities are making large-scale preparations. AP News+3Reuters+3Reuters+3

What Happened in Taiwan

• In Hualien County, a barrier (or “barrier lake”) formed by previous landslide debris burst after being overwhelmed by rainfall from the outer bands of Ragasa. The natural dam was breached along Mataian Creek, releasing a deluge of water into Guangfu Township. The Watchers+3Reuters+3RTHK News+3

• Local officials said water levels rose dramatically: in some places it reached the second floor of homes, and in others around one floor in town centers. RTHK News+2@mathrubhumi+2

• At least 2 people have died, while about 30 are missing, and more than 260 people were temporarily trapped before being moved to higher ground. Reuters+2The Weather Network+2

The Broader Storm: Ragasa Moving West

• Ragasa is being called one of the strongest storms so far in 2025, with sustained winds, high rain totals (up to ~60 cm / 24 inches in eastern Taiwan), and a path taking it toward southern China. The Weather Network+3Financial Times+3Reuters+3

• Cities in China’s Guangdong province are under major alert. More than 370,000 people have been evacuated ahead of expected landfall between Taishan and Zhanjiang. Schools and businesses are closed, transportation shut down in parts, and authorities are bracing for flooding, storm surge, and dangerous winds. AP News+3Financial Times+3AP News+3

Damage, Disruption & Human Toll

• The flooding in Taiwan destroyed bridges, washed out roads, uprooted trees, and submerged cars. In Guangfu, chaotic scenes unfolded as the rising river rushed through neighborhoods. RTHK News+3@mathrubhumi+3BBC Feeds+3

• Across Taiwan, thousands have been evacuated, dozens of ferries and flights cancelled, and damaged infrastructure is mounting. AP News+2BBC Feeds+2

What Authorities Are Doing

• Taiwanese emergency services are conducting search-and-rescue operations in Hualien, focusing on missing persons and flooded areas. Reuters+1

• In China, officials are running preemptive evacuations, closing schools and businesses, and preparing flood defenses, particularly in coastal and low-lying regions expected to bear storm surge and heavy rainfall. Financial Times+2AP News+2

Centrist View: Balancing Urgency & Preparedness

From a mid-ground perspective, the situation around Ragasa underscores both the unpredictability of nature and the importance of resilient planning. Here are some reflections:

• Early alert and evacuation matter: The ability of local governments to issue warnings, move people to safer ground, and shut down vulnerable infrastructure can make the difference between life and death. Taiwan and southern China are doing that, though tragedies have still occurred.

• Natural dams/dams formed by landslides are ticking timebombs: Such barrier lakes are common in mountainous regions after heavy rain, and when they burst, consequences are swift. Mapping and monitoring these hazards, and having emergency plans, are essential.

• Climate change intensifies storms: While no single event proves climate change, increasing sea surface temperatures and shifting weather patterns tend to increase the intensity of storms and the amount of rainfall they bring, raising the stakes for both infrastructure and emergency preparedness.

• Infrastructure resilience: Roads, bridges, drainage systems, and housing standards in vulnerable areas are being tested. Investments now in resilient design, flood mitigation, and drainage will pay off when storms like Ragasa strike.

What to Watch Next

• Updates on missing persons in Taiwan (Hualien especially) and whether more lives are lost, or rescued.

• How Ragasa behaves as it makes landfall in China, whether its strength is maintained or decays, how fast, and how much flooding ensues.

• How coastal cities manage storm surge, especially with potential high tides.

• The longer-term recovery in Taiwan: damage assessment, rebuilding, and how quickly communities are restored.

Super Typhoon Ragasa has already delivered deadly devastation in Taiwan, including a catastrophic lake burst, and its path toward China promises yet more intense impacts. The storm serves as a stark reminder: nature does not wait, and preparation, infrastructure strength, and quick action are vital, not just for survival, but for reducing suffering.