TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Hualien County officials ordered preventive evacuations of approximately 7,000 residents Sunday (Sept. 21) as Typhoon Ragasa (樺加沙) threatened the area. The Matian'an Wetland landslide dam reservoir reached 73% capacity, prompting evacuations across 25 villages in five townships. Officials moved around 1,800 households facing potential flooding risks from the swollen reservoir.
Military forces deployed to assist evacuations as Typhoon Ragasa approaches Hualien County. Commander Teng Hung-nien (鄧宏年) of the Hualien Rear Command confirmed the army deployed three medium tactical vehicles and 12 personnel for evacuation support. Teng emphasized most residents can evacuate independently, though additional military assistance remains available for those requiring help.
Guangfu Township (光復鄉) mayor Lin Ching-shui (林清水) acknowledged the extensive scope of evacuations as numbers fluctuated dramatically. Officials initially planned to evacuate 665 people, revised the figure to 111 on September 9, then increased it to around 6,000 currently. Lin noted residents with two-storey homes can remain, as the government adopted a lenient safety approach.
Guangfu Daping Village (光復鄉大平村) chief Tseng Pei-ling (曾培靈) reported many registered residents were absent from their homes. Authorities will relocate remaining residents to National Kuangfu Commercial and Industrial Vocational High School (光復高職) for emergency shelter. Various emergency units actively prepared for the typhoon's arrival to minimize disaster risks across the affected region. ◼
>>> Warning: In case of a typhoon, you should prepare for the storm and avoid going outside. Stay away from beaches and coastal areas for wave-watching or water activities. Be alert for strong winds and heavy rain while watching for landslides and falling rocks. Remember that emergency assistance is available at 119/1999, maritime emergencies at 118, and police or disaster reporting at 110/119.
