In brief
Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm of 2023, has hit southern China after causing significant devastation in Taiwan, where over 17 fatalities and many missing persons have been reported due to severe flooding triggered by a lake breaking its banks. As the typhoon made landfall in Guangdong province, local authorities issued warnings and prepared for the anticipated effects, which could include landslides and seawater intrusion.
Typhoon Ragasa has made landfall in southern China, where nearly two million people have been evacuated in preparation for its arrival.
It comes after authorities said at least 17 people had been killed and more missing in Taiwan after a lake burst on Tuesday, causing severe flooding in the island's east.
Ragasa was downgraded from a super to a severe typhoon on Wednesday but remains highly destructive, with top winds of 241km/h (150mph) recorded in Taishan county in Guangdong province.
Equated to a Category 5 hurricane, Ragasa is the world's strongest storm this year and has been roaring over the South China Sea for days.
Ahead of its landfall, Hong Kong reported 90 injuries due to the storm's outer bands, prompting local authorities to issue the highest weather alerts and instruct residents to remain indoors.
Landfall occurred on Hailing Island at around 17:00 local time on Wednesday, and sustained winds over the mainland are expected to gradually weaken; however, significant rainfall and threats of landslides remain a concern.
In Taiwan, the Prime Minister has called for a review of the emergency response plans in light of the disaster, emphasizing the need for accountability and investigation into the evacuation failures that led to the fatalities.
Witness accounts describe a devastating scene in Hualien, where massive flooding has drastically changed the landscape, leaving many residents stranded and in need of rescue services.
As teams continue searching for the missing, the Taiwanese government has deployed troops and set up a disaster response center to assist affected areas.
Typhoon Ragasa is expected to have lasting effects on regions already coping with the aftermath of this catastrophic weather event.
