Typhoon 'Khanun' Crosses Central Korean Peninsula
Causing Housing Collapses, Landslides, and Power Outages
Typhoon Khanun, the 6th typhoon of the season, moved northward accompanied by strong rain and wind, causing widespread damage across the country.
Khanun made landfall near Geoje, Gyeongnam Province, around 9:20 a.m. on the 10th. It was predicted to be the first typhoon since the Korea Meteorological Administration began observations in 1961 to cross the Korean Peninsula from south to north, raising tension.
As of 2 p.m., Khanun was moving north with a central pressure of 980 hPa and maximum wind speeds of 104 km/h (29 m/s). It was traveling at 38 km/h about 40 km southwest of Andong, Gyeongbuk, on land.
On the morning of the 10th, a signboard of a commercial building in Hyangcheong-ri, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do was crumpled and torn off by strong winds brought by Typhoon Khanun. The 119 rescue team is taking safety measures. Photo by Jeonnam Fire Headquarters, Yonhap News Agency
Strong rain and wind caused continuous damage in areas such as Geoje, Gyeongnam, where Khanun first made landfall. As of 1 p.m., the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters and Changwon Fire Headquarters had received 204 and 151 damage reports, respectively.
In an apartment in Neungpo-dong, Geoje City, Gyeongnam, bricks fell and damaged several parked vehicles, and an abandoned rural house collapsed in Chilwon-eup, Haman County.
Also, in Changwon, Gyeongnam, a man in his 70s trapped by rising waters was rescued, and a landslide occurred about 3 km from Naesa-eup on National Road No. 5 at Ssuljae Tunnel in Changwon City, causing soil to spill and temporarily congesting the four-lane road.
In Hwasun County, Jeonnam, swept by Khanun, a large signboard on a commercial building was torn off like a sheet of paper by strong winds. The torn signboard was blown by the wind and got caught on utility poles and wires, creating a dangerous situation.
In Gokseong County, a house roof collapsed, but there were no direct casualties as no one was home at the time. However, one resident was injured in the arm after falling while removing belongings and household items.
Power outages also caused inconvenience to residents. In Manyeon-ri, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun County, Jeonnam, 214 households lost power for about 30 minutes starting at 9:54 a.m., and in Kumho-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, electricity was cut off for 3,198 households in six apartment complexes for one hour from 4:40 a.m. that day.
Crop damage continued as well. According to Gyeongnam Province, the area of agricultural damage caused by this typhoon was tentatively estimated at 37.2 hectares. Of this, 36.2 hectares were flooded due to heavy rain, and the remaining 1 hectare was lodging damage to rice crops caused by strong winds in Namhae. In Jeonnam, strong rain and wind caused rice lodging on 187 hectares of farmland as of 1 p.m. that day.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Khanun is expected to exit into North Korea after 3 a.m. on the 11th. The Korea Meteorological Administration warned, "Very strong and heavy rain and very strong winds will occur until tomorrow morning (the 11th). Very high waves along with swells may exceed breakwaters or coastal roads in coastal areas, so please be especially cautious to prevent damage."
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