Korea braces for Typhoon Khanun, issues high alert

Typhoon Khanun is moving northward in Jeju, causing high waves. [Photo by Yonhap]

The Korean Ministry of the Interior and Safety has raised crisis alerts to the highest level as Typhoon Khanun is heading north. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters has also increased its response level to Level 3 from Level 2.

According to forecasts by the Korea Meteorological Administration, Typhoon Khanun is expected to maintain its strength and arrive on the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula on Thursday morning before traversing the peninsula.

All regions across the country are expected to experience significant rainfall, with parts of Gangwon Province expecting over 600 millimeters (mm) and Gyeongsang Province over 300 mm.

The safety headquarters has urged related authorities to control basements, steep slopes, underground roads, riverbanks, coastal roads, and breakwaters, and to evacuate residents to minimize potential losses due to Typhoon Khanun.

The headquarters further stressed that areas affected by heavy rainfall should be swiftly restored, and popular locations such as beaches should be regulated to ensure the safety of visitors.

Residents in high-risk areas, such as mountainous regions and riverside communities, are advised to evacuate to shelters by Wednesday afternoon.

Additionally, there will be more allocations of public transportation services during commuting hours. In the event of emergencies, prompt disaster alerts will be disseminated to the public through text messages.

“We will make the best effort to prevent life loss by preemptively controlling risky areas and evacuating residents,” said Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.

He advised the public to monitor weather conditions and refrain from outdoor activities and unnecessary travel.