Surreal Scenes: Citizens Fishing on City Streets with Bare Hands

typhoon Lagasa‘s Aftermath: Macau Residents Find unexpected Joy Amidst Flooding

Macau’s urban landscape was dramatically altered as Typhoon Lagasa unleashed its fury, submerging the city center in widespread flooding. Despite the devastation, citizens exhibited remarkable resilience, finding moments of levity and adapting to the extraordinary circumstances. Residents were seen interacting with the floodwaters,engaging in activities such as catching fish with their bare hands.

Unexpected Scenes in a Submerged City

Reports from Hong Kong’s The Standard and numerous Social Network Service (SNS) platforms on September 26th, local time, detailed how the intense typhoon swept sea fish into the streets of Macau. Videos quickly circulated online, showing people attempting to catch the fish, with one young man filmed enthusiastically celebrating a successful catch. Local news outlets described the scene as surreal, a direct consequence of the typhoon’s impact.

Regional Impact of Typhoon Lagasa

The impact of Typhoon Lagasa extended far beyond Macau. The storm initially struck Taiwan,resulting in 17 fatalities. As it moved south, it caused considerable disruption in Hong Kong, Macau, and the Philippines. According to the Taiwan Central News Agency (CNA), approximately 60 million tons of water inundated villages in Taiwan on September 23rd, leading to widespread flooding and tragically claiming 17 lives. flights were canceled, and both Hong Kong and Macau experienced considerable disruption due to the typhoon. At least 10 deaths were reported in the philippines, and over one million residents in Guangdong Province, China, were evacuated as a precautionary measure, with schools, factories, subways, and railways all suspending operations.

Typhoon Damage Statistics

The following table summarizes the reported impacts of Typhoon Lagasa as of September 29, 2025:

Location	Fatalities	Significant Impacts
Taiwan	17	Widespread flooding, 60 million tons of water inundated villages.
Macau	0 (Reported)	City center submerged, unusual scenes of residents catching fish.
Hong Kong	0 (Reported)	Flight cancellations, widespread disruption.
Philippines	10+	Significant damage,reported fatalities.
Guangdong Province, China	0 (Reported)	Evacuation of 1 million+ residents, suspension of services.

Did You Know? Typhoons are known as hurricanes in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific regions, and cyclones in the south Pacific and Indian Ocean. They are all the same type of weather phenomenon: a powerful, rotating storm system.

Pro Tip: During a typhoon or hurricane, stay indoors, away from windows and doors.Monitor local news and official guidance, and be prepared for potential power outages and disruptions to essential services.

Understanding Typhoon Formation and Impacts

Typhoons, like other tropical cyclones, form over warm ocean waters near the equator. These storms are fueled by the evaporation of water, which rises and condenses, releasing heat that drives the storm’s circulation. The intensity of a typhoon is categorized using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, ranging from Category 1 (minimal damage) to category 5 (catastrophic damage). Climate change is increasingly linked to the intensification of these storms, with warmer ocean temperatures providing more energy for their formation and rapid strengthening.

What are your thoughts on the resilience shown by the residents of Macau? how can communities better prepare for the increasing frequency and intensity of these weather events?

How does the phenomenon of urban fishing reflect the relationship between the urban environment and nature?

The Phenomenon of Urban Fishing

The image is striking: people, not in rivers or lakes, but on asphalt, concrete, and city sidewalks, attempting to fish with their bare hands. This isn’t a dystopian future or a scene from a fantasy novel; it’s a documented, albeit rare, phenomenon occurring in specific urban environments. These surreal scenes often emerge after important flooding events, notably in coastal cities or areas prone to heavy rainfall. The core driver? Fish literally swimming through the streets.

Causes: When Waterways Overflow

Several factors contribute to these unusual occurrences. The most common is urban flooding. When heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems,rivers and canals overflow,bringing aquatic life into unexpected territories.

* Heavy Rainfall & Storm Surges: Intense precipitation, exacerbated by climate change, is a primary cause. coastal cities are also vulnerable to storm surges that push saltwater and marine life inland.

* Inadequate Drainage Infrastructure: Aging or insufficient drainage systems struggle to cope with extreme weather events, leading to widespread flooding.

* River & Canal Proximity: Cities built alongside waterways are naturally more susceptible to overflow during periods of high water.

* Breaches in Flood Defenses: Levees or floodwalls failing can result in rapid and extensive inundation.

Documented instances & Locations

While not a daily occurrence, urban fishing has been observed in several locations worldwide. These events are often captured on social media, contributing to their viral spread and the sense of surrealism.

* jakarta, Indonesia: Frequently experiences flooding during the monsoon season, leading to reports of citizens catching fish in flooded streets. This is arguably the most consistently documented location.

* Bangkok, Thailand: Similar to Jakarta, Bangkok’s low-lying geography and monsoon climate make it prone to flooding and subsequent street fishing.

* Miami,Florida,USA: King tides and increasingly frequent heavy rainfall events have resulted in flooded streets and reports of fish appearing in residential areas.

* Venice, Italy: While accustomed to high water levels (“acqua alta”), exceptionally high tides can bring marine life into areas not typically inhabited by fish.

* Coastal Cities in china: Several coastal cities in China have experienced similar events due to typhoons and heavy rainfall.

The Types of Fish Involved

The species of fish encountered during urban fishing vary depending on the location. Generally, they are freshwater or brackish water species adapted to living in rivers, canals, or coastal areas.

* Tilapia: Commonly found in flooded streets of Jakarta and Bangkok, often farmed in nearby aquaculture operations.

* Catfish: A resilient species often found in murky floodwaters.

* Mullet: A saltwater fish that can tolerate brackish water and is sometimes seen in flooded coastal streets.

* Carp: Common in freshwater systems and occasionally found in urban floods.

* Small Reef Fish: In coastal areas, smaller reef fish may be swept inland during storm surges.

The Psychological Impact: Surrealism & Resilience

The sight of people fishing in city streets is inherently surreal. It challenges our expectations of the urban environment and highlights the power of nature.

* Sense of Disruption: The event disrupts the normal order of things, creating a feeling of unease and disorientation.

* community Bonding: In some cases, urban fishing can become a communal activity, with neighbors helping each other catch fish and share their bounty.

* Highlighting Environmental Issues: These events serve as a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change and the need for improved infrastructure.

* Coping Mechanism: For some, the act of fishing provides a sense of agency and control in the face of a disruptive event.

Safety Considerations & Health Risks

While the image of urban fishing may seem whimsical, it’s critically important to consider the safety risks involved.

* Contaminated Water: Floodwater is often contaminated with sewage, chemicals, and debris, posing a health risk. Fish caught in floodwater should not be consumed.

* Sharp Objects: Hidden debris in floodwater can cause injuries.

* Electrical Hazards: Downed power lines pose a serious threat in flooded areas.

* Strong Currents: Even shallow floodwater can have strong currents, making it