On Thursday, Taiwan was gripped by a heart-wrenching search operation for 33 individuals who went missing after a powerful typhoon triggered severe flooding on its remote east coast. This tragedy unfolded when heavy rains caused a barrier lake in the mountains above the small town of Guangfu to overflow, releasing a devastating wall of water that swept through the area. The disaster was particularly tragic as many victims were elderly and found it difficult to follow evacuation guidance that advised moving to higher floors in their homes.
The death toll, initially reported as 17, was later revised down to 14 but still underscored the severity of the calamity brought by the outer bands of Super Typhoon Ragasa in Hualien county. Taiwan, with its subtropical climate, is no stranger to typhoons and usually manages evacuations efficiently, especially in its mountainous and sparsely populated eastern regions. This has traditionally helped keep casualties low during such natural disasters.
However, the recent spike in fatalities has raised important questions about the appropriateness of evacuation orders that instructed people to move upstairs rather than evacuating the area altogether. Premier Cho Jung-tai highlighted this issue during a cabinet meeting, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the causes of death, many of which occurred on the first floors of homes. He stressed that understanding these factors is critical for improving evacuation protocols in the future.
One striking aspect of this tragedy is the vulnerability of the elderly population in rural parts of Taiwan, particularly in the east. Many young people have moved to cities for better job prospects, leaving behind a significant number of elderly residents, many with disabilities. According to Hualien official Lin Jung-lu, the majority of the deceased were elderly individuals who faced mobility challenges, making it difficult for them to evacuate effectively.
Communication issues also played a role. Chang Chih-hsiung, representing the Fata’an tribe of the Amis indigenous group native to Hualien, pointed to a digital divide that hindered effective communication. Many elderly residents were unfamiliar with using cellphones and did not fully grasp the severity of the situation despite village briefings. The flood’s unpredictable nature compounded the problem; while some areas were evacuated and ultimately spared, others suffered worse flooding than expected, catching residents off guard.
Interestingly, the village of Dama in the Guangfu region had a different experience. Wang Tse-an, head of the village, explained that a mandatory evacuation order helped protect the community, resulting in no deaths despite being the first area hit by the flood. In contrast, other villages relied on “vertical evacuation” — moving upstairs — which unfortunately proved insufficient when floodwaters reached unexpected heights.
The aftermath of the disaster has complicated recovery efforts. While Guangfu’s train station has resumed service, a crucial highway has been severed after floodwaters destroyed a bridge. Drone footage revealed only the remnants of the bridge supports left in the riverbed. Homes in some areas remain stranded and inaccessible, blocked by mud that covered doorways.
Authorities have been actively engaging with local communities to address the threat posed by the barrier dam behind Guangfu. Several meetings and briefings, including those conducted in the Amis language, aimed to prepare residents for potential dangers since the lake’s discovery in July. Despite these efforts, the risk remains, and the government continues to issue warnings about the dam.
Addressing the lake itself is a complex challenge. Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih cautioned against using explosives to breach the bank holding back the lake, citing the danger of triggering further landslides. He urged the public to stay clear of the river area while the red warning is still in effect.
The situation in Guangfu vividly illustrates the intersection of natural disaster risks, demographic challenges, and emergency response in Taiwan’s rural regions. As the community navigates the recovery and safety measures moving forward, these issues will undoubtedly shape future strategies to better protect vulnerable populations from similar disasters.
