Fourteen people have lost their lives, and 124 remain missing after a barrier lake burst in Hualien during Super Typhoon Ragasa, flooding the township of Guangfu.

The waters, described as “tsunami-like,” swept away homes, roads, and a major bridge.

Rescue efforts are underway, with 340 troops deployed as thousands shelter on higher ground. Officials say the lake released around 60 million tonnes of water, leaving villages buried in mud and debris.

About 5,200 residents took refuge in their homes’ upper floors or with relatives, while councillors criticized inadequate evacuation measures. China offered condolences despite political tensions.

The typhoon brought 70 cm of rain to eastern Taiwan but spared the industrial west. Hualien, known for its tourist sites and indigenous communities, now faces its worst flooding since Typhoon Morakot in 2009.