Thousands Of Volunteers Descend On Taiwan Town After Flood
🚨BREAKING: “Shovel Supermen” Unite Taiwan – Thousands Of Volunteers Flood Devastated Township After Barrier Lake Disaster
EXCLUSIVE: From Gym Bros To Buddhist Monks – Heartwarming Story Of Unity As Nation Rallies To Help Flood Victims In Guangfu
GUANGFU TOWNSHIP, Taiwan, October 2, 2025 — In an extraordinary display of community solidarity, thousands of volunteers from across Taiwan descended upon the flood-ravaged town of Guangfu over the weekend, bringing shovels, rainboots, and unwavering determination to help residents recover from a catastrophic natural disaster. The massive volunteer response came after a barrier lake burst on September 23, unleashing an estimated 60 million tonnes of muddy water that killed at least 18 people and left the township buried under thick layers of sludge and debris.
⚡ THE DISASTER THAT BROUGHT A NATION TOGETHER
When Super Typhoon Ragasa pounded eastern Taiwan with torrential rain last week, it triggered a cascade of landslides that formed a natural dam on the Mataian River (also known as Matai’an Creek). The barrier lake that formed in the mountains above Guangfu Township grew larger and larger until it could no longer hold.
On September 23, the natural dam gave way.
“It was like a volcano erupting,” said Hsu Cheng-hsiung, 55, a neighborhood leader. “The muddy floodwaters came roaring straight into the first floor of my house.”
The wall of water and mud swept away a bridge, flooded buildings up to their first floors, and left a trail of devastation across the township. Most of the 18 confirmed deaths occurred on ground floors of buildings as residents were caught by the sudden deluge.
As government agencies struggled to deploy sufficient personnel to the remote area, something remarkable happened: ordinary Taiwanese citizens began organizing themselves to fill the gap.
💥 THE VOLUNTEER ARMY – “Supermen” Categories
Taiwan Railway Corporation (TRC) scheduled 10 additional train services over the weekend to accommodate the massive influx of volunteers heading to Guangfu. The railway company posted photos of arriving volunteers and praised them for “uniting Taiwan with their warmth.”
Social media and local media began categorizing the volunteers into different types of “supermen” based on their contributions:
“Shovel Supermen”: The largest group, armed with nothing more than their own rainboots and shovels, came to dig out the mud and debris. These volunteers traversed the township with buckets, clearing streets and homes one shovelful at a time.
“Cooking Supermen”: Chefs from other Hualien communities volunteered to set up field kitchens, preparing meals for both victims and fellow volunteers. Videos showed them chopping vegetables nonstop, encouraging each other to take breaks while they worked tirelessly.
“Bobcat Supermen”: Owners and operators of construction equipment traveled to Guangfu with their loaders to dig away massive amounts of mud and debris. When residents tried to pay them, the operators declined, joking that they would return all the mud to anyone’s home if money was offered.
“Glutinous Rice Dumpling Superman”: An elderly woman dressed in bright red and a conical hat set up outside Guangfu Train Station, handing out free dumplings to volunteers and cheerfully cleaning their muddy boots while joking that she “just wanted to go to Guangfu to play with mud.”
🎯 THE DIVERSE VOLUNTEER FORCE
The volunteers represented an incredibly diverse cross-section of Taiwan society:
Foreign Workers: Approximately 40 Indonesian and 10 Vietnamese migrant workers, mostly employed at construction sites across Taiwan, traveled to Guangfu to help. Kholis Anwar, an Indonesian volunteer who works at an auto repair shop, said he wanted to show solidarity with disaster victims.
“When I arrived, the roads were still muddy, with some puddles. Most household items on the ground floor had been damaged beyond repair and mud had poured into the buildings,” he said. “They were happy to see us and did not forget to say thank you to us and give us all a thumbs-up.”
Vietnamese Group: A group of approximately 20 Vietnamese workers from Taoyuan spent three days clearing mud and debris over the Teacher’s Day holiday weekend. Tuan Nguyen, who co-organized the effort, said he sees Taiwan as a “second home” and felt compelled to help since he couldn’t afford to donate cash.
Ukrainian Residents: Two Ukrainian women who have lived in Taiwan for nine years had planned a Hualien trip months earlier but redirected their visit to volunteer after learning of the disaster. One noted that rainboots were sold out across Hualien, saying “it was wonderful to see so many people coming to help.”
Japanese Resident: Saito Tadataka, a Japanese man living in Taiwan, said he struggled for three days deciding whether to help because he worried about causing trouble. Seeing so many “Shovel Supermen” already there convinced him to act.
Retirees, Young People, Office Workers: The volunteers ranged from elderly retirees to young gym enthusiasts, office workers using their holiday weekend, and people from all walks of life united by a common purpose.
🔥 OVERWHELMING RESPONSE CREATES NEW CHALLENGES
The volunteer response was so massive that it created its own logistical challenges. Some volunteers noted a lack of clear direction upon arrival, with organizational difficulties in coordinating thousands of people who showed up spontaneously.
Taiwan Railway opened trains to standing tickets and had regular services stop at Guangfu specifically to accommodate the volunteer influx. Photos from Taipei Main Station showed crowds of people carrying shovels and tools, boarding extra TRA trains bound for the disaster zone.
The railway categorized volunteers into different “superman” roles and hailed them as guardians who “united Taiwan with their warmth.”
💔 THE SCALE OF DESTRUCTION
The Hualien County Fire Department initially reported 17 deaths but later adjusted the toll to 18 as one additional body was recovered from a river. The number of missing persons dropped from 152 to 33 as search efforts continued and people reported out of contact were located.
Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai ordered investigations into why evacuation orders were not properly carried out and directed agencies to remain in Hualien to assist with relief efforts.
The disaster left streets covered in thick mud, destroyed household items and vehicles, damaged buildings, and displaced numerous residents. The cleanup is expected to take weeks, with volunteers continuing to arrive daily.
🌍 ORGANIZED EFFORTS AND DONATIONS
Huang Jung-tun, founder of the NGO Welldoer House, organized cleanup campaigns online, appealing for volunteers. His organization has routinely distributed aid to migrant workers at fishing ports for nine years.
“I hope that these actions will reduce discrimination against migrant workers in Taiwan and increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of their contributions to society,” Huang said.
Donations for Hualien flood relief have exceeded NT$400 million (approximately $12.5 million USD), according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
The Kermit Community Gym and other local organizations served as distribution centers for donated items including food, water, and cleaning supplies, with organizers reporting more than 250 flood victims coming daily to receive assistance.
🚀 CULTURAL IMPACT – Song Written in Honor
The volunteer effort inspired Malaysian news reporter and songwriter Ang Wui Chong to write a song celebrating the Guangfu Township volunteers. Speaking with CNA news agency on Monday, Ang said he was moved after seeing the “shovel supermen” highlighted on the internet.
“My hometown of Kelantan was devastated by flooding before, which was why I could relate to the impact of the Hualien flood,” Ang said. “If I were in Taiwan I would be volunteering as well. Writing a song was the least I could do to help the community.”
⚡ WHAT CAUSED THE DISASTER
Super Typhoon Ragasa brought heavy rainfall to eastern Taiwan, triggering multiple landslides in the mountainous regions above Guangfu Township. These landslides created a natural dam that blocked the Mataian River, forming a barrier lake.
As rain continued to fall, the lake grew larger until the natural dam could no longer contain the water pressure. When it burst on September 23, an estimated 60 million tonnes of water mixed with mud rushed downstream into Guangfu Township with devastating force.
The Central Weather Administration had issued warnings for extremely heavy rain in Hualien and Taitung counties as Ragasa intensified into a super typhoon. However, the specific threat of the barrier lake burst appears to have caught some residents off guard.
💥 GOVERNMENT RESPONSE AND CRITICISM
Premier Cho Jung-tai visited the disaster area and ordered a thorough investigation into the evacuation process. Questions have been raised about why some residents did not evacuate despite warnings and whether authorities adequately communicated the danger of the barrier lake.
Government agencies have been directed to maintain a presence in Hualien to coordinate ongoing relief efforts and ensure displaced residents receive necessary support.
The Hualien County government is working with volunteer coordinators to better organize the continuing cleanup efforts and ensure resources are distributed efficiently.
🤔 TAIWAN’S TRADITION OF MUTUAL AID
The massive volunteer response reflects a deep-rooted cultural tradition in Taiwan of communities rallying together during disasters. This mutual aid spirit has been demonstrated repeatedly following earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters that regularly affect the island.
The diversity of the volunteer force – including foreign workers who see Taiwan as their second home – demonstrates the inclusive nature of Taiwan’s civil society and the bonds that form across different communities.
The willingness of construction equipment operators to donate their time and expensive machinery, the elderly woman cheerfully cleaning boots at the train station, and the chefs working nonstop to feed everyone all paint a picture of a society that values collective action and mutual support.
As cleanup continues in Guangfu Township, the story of the “shovel supermen” and their diverse companions serves as a reminder of humanity’s capacity for compassion and solidarity in the face of disaster.
