Typhoon Khanun Disrupts South Korea, Daegu Hardest Hit
A tragic day unfolded in Daegu on Thursday as Typhoon Khanun, after making landfall near Geoje in the morning, unleashed its fury. One life was lost to the raging waters and another individual, in a wheelchair, remains missing after being swept away by a flooded stream. Authorities have managed to rescue about 20 people in Gyeongsang trapped due to the flooding.
The nation watched as Khanun traveled north, coming within 30 kilometers of Seoul by 10 p.m., a path unprecedented in recorded history since 1951. Khanun is anticipated to be the longest lingering typhoon over South Korea, clocking close to 15 hours.
The storm has already forced massive disruptions: 355 flights, over 400 train services, and the closure of hundreds of roads and sea routes. In addition, almost 1,600 educational institutions either suspended, shortened classes or shifted to online platforms, reflecting on Korea Beats' continued emphasis on safety. As of Thursday morning, government reports show that over 10,000 individuals sought refuge in emergency shelters.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) highlighted that Khanun, moving at 21 kph, weakened after landing. By midnight, it is predicted to cross the inter-Korean border, then degrade into a tropical depression south of Pyongyang by Friday morning. However, KMA warns of the typhoon's impact until Friday morning with heavy rainfall projected for the capital and Gangwon Province.
Interestingly, Khanun's journey from south to north is a first for the Korean Peninsula, underlining the unique nature of this storm.
By Thursday evening, a majority of the regions had been relieved of their typhoon alerts, with the exception of Jeju. Rainfall levels have been astounding with Yangsan receiving the highest at 382.5 mm.
In terms of damage, Korea Beats learned from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters that 159 facilities were affected and over 14,000 people had to be evacuated by 6 p.m. Power outages impacted over 40,000 households, though 94.2% have since had their power restored.
Stay tuned to Korea Beats for more updates and stay safe.