South Korea was battered by the formidable tropical storm Khanun, which landed on Thursday, causing widespread destruction, evacuations, and flooding across southern coastal areas. The storm’s ferocious rains and strong winds have left a trail of uprooted trees. Along with damaged roofs, and roads transformed into churning rivers of muddy water.
As of 11 a.m., the Ministry of the Interior and Safety reported no immediate storm-related deaths or injuries. However, more than 10,000 individuals, primarily from the southern coastal regions. They were compelled to evacuate their homes, and this number was anticipated to rise.
Its arrival just weeks after a series of torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides resulting in 47 casualties. Moreover, Khanun prompted officials to take swift precautions. Numerous motorways, streets, and public parks were closed down, and text alerts were broadcasted to caution citizens about the imminent dangers posed by the storm.
The storm, which landed near the southeastern port city of Geoje at around 9:30 a.m. It continued its course towards the inland city of Daegu by 12:30 p.m. Though slightly weakened, it boasted maximum winds of 104 kph (64 mph) while moving at 38 kph (23 mph).
Evacuations, Infrastructure Closures, and Intense Flooding as the Storm Hits Southern Coastal Regions
Forecasters predicted Khanun would continue to unleash torrential rains and powerful winds as it sluggishly traversed the Korean Peninsula. Its trajectory brushed against the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area. This region, home to half of South Korea’s 51 million residents, is expected to bear the brunt of the storm’s impact. As Khanun ventures into North Korea by early Friday, its strength is projected to diminish. But its effects are anticipated to linger in the greater Seoul area until Friday afternoon.
Since Wednesday, the storm has deluged the southern mainland cities of Changwon and Yangsan with nearly 35 centimetres (14 inches) of rainfall. Emergency responders are grappling with a mounting number of floods and landslides. Moreover, triggered by the storm’s relentless downpour.
As South Korea grapples with the aftermath of Khanun, the nation’s resilience is being tested once again. As the cleanup and recovery efforts ensue, the country is reminded of the formidable forces of nature and the need for preparedness in the face of such natural disasters.
