KMA Urges Caution to Prevent Safety Accidents
Lightning caused by atmospheric instability continued for the second day in Jeju Island, resulting in various damages.
According to the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters on the 16th, three cases of damage presumed to be caused by lightning occurred from the 15th until early morning of the 16th, including the destruction of agricultural field meters (accumulated power meters).
Lightning damaged meters at an agricultural facility in Aewol-eup, Jeju City, and at a farm in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, while a circuit breaker in a single-family house distribution panel was broken in Hamdeok-ri. Fortunately, the damage did not escalate further, with losses estimated at around 100,000 to 200,000 KRW each.
Additionally, three automatic weather observation systems (AWS) operated by the Korea Meteorological Administration were damaged by lightning but some have been partially restored.
According to meteorological observations, lightning strikes were tentatively counted at 395 times on the 15th and 97 times on the 16th (from midnight to the present), totaling 492 occurrences. On the previous day, at Jeju International Airport, one flight out of 497 flights was canceled and 71 flights were delayed due to a thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain during the daytime.
The Korea Meteorological Administration explained that a rain cloud band moved into the eastern sea of Jeju Island, causing atmospheric instability and frequent thunder and lightning. The rain cloud band was moving at 20 km per hour, bringing thunder and lightning along with rainfall of 30 mm per hour to Jeju. They urged, "If you hear thunder or start to feel large raindrops, quickly evacuate to a safe place." They also advised, "Please thoroughly manage facilities and be cautious of safety accidents."
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