TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Seven junior high and elementary schools in Hualien’s Guangfu Township have completed most of their campus cleaning and resumed classes starting Tuesday following Typhoon Ragasa, CNA reported.
Due to heavy rain from the typhoon, Mataian barrier lake overflowed on Sept. 23, causing severe floods and mudslides in Guangfu. The flooding damaged two gas stations as well as caused most medical institutions and schools to suspend operations. As of Monday, authorities reported 18 deaths, 156 injuries, and six missing persons.
Guangfu Junior High School, one of the schools that resumed classes, reported losses exceeding NT$100 million (US$3.1 million). The damage included the gym, the sports fields, and parts of the campus's water and electrical systems. He said it may take up to a year to fully repair the facilities.
Principal Huang Chien-jung (黃建榮) said the school's baseball field has not been fully repaired, so the baseball team will train at a nearby school. Lunch, originally prepared in the school kitchen, will temporarily be served as boxed meals due to damaged kitchen equipment. Textbooks soaked in water have also been replaced with new copies.
Guangfu Elementary School, another school that has reopened, said that campus cleaning, meals, textbooks, and stationery have been arranged. Power has also been restored, while the water supply is temporarily being provided by water trucks.
National Kuangfu Commercial and Industrial Vocational High School chose to resume classes online and plans to return to in-person learning on Monday. The school's damage includes a mud-filled basement, a destroyed playground, and water and electrical systems that need repair. The school will set up a temporary area to allow students to return to campus.
Some schools in Guangfu are being used as shelters and relief supply centers, prompting concerns from parents about potential disruptions to students’ learning and campus security. In response, the Hualien County government said it will separate student and shelter areas and that police will conduct regular patrols during the disaster response period to enhance security.
