Disasters & Accidents

Typhoon Haishen disrupts transportation, power supply in S Korea

Seoul, Sep 7 (efe-epa).- Typhoon Haishen made landfall Monday in South Korea accompanied by torrential rains and strong winds, causing disruptions in transportation networks and power outages in thousands of homes and several industrial facilities.

After wreaking havoc across Japan over the weekend, the tenth typhoon of the season in the Pacific approached southeast South Korea at noon on Monday, albeit with reduced intensity, and continued to move northeast along the east coast of the country.

As it passed through the Korean peninsula, a pressure of 996 hectopascals and wind gusts of up to 126 kph were detected in the eye of the typhoon, according to the South Korean meteorological agency, which predicts that the typhoon will continue to lose strength as it moves north.

Among the cities most affected by the storm are Ulsan and Busan, where more than 30,000 homes were without power.

The power outages forced a production plant in Ulsan of South Korea’s largest carmaker, Hyundai Motors, as well as its auto parts subsidiary to temporarily halt operations.

Two turbines at the Wolsong nuclear plant, in the town of Gyeongju, were also deactivated as a precaution, according to operating company Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, which said there were no radioactive leaks.

About 300 domestic flights had been canceled Monday due to the typhoon, as well as the rail connections between Busan, the second-largest city in the country, and other locations.

At the moment, the South Korean authorities have not reported any fatalities, but have reported the disappearance of a 40-year-old man in Gangwon province, who is believed to have been washed away in a canal.

Haishen is expected to continue moving northeastward on Monday and approach North Korea early Tuesday.

Several regions in the south, east and central South Korea were on alert Monday for the passage of Haishen, areas that were also affected by the passage last week of the lower intensity Typhoon Maysek.

In North Korea, state media reported flooding in several cities on the country’s east coast caused by the approach of Haishen, as well as the evacuation of citizens from various areas due to the expected heavy rains.

Haishen is the third typhoon to hit North Korea in recent weeks, after two previous storms that led the leader of the regime Kim Jong-un, to recently visit the worst-affected areas and promise efforts for their recovery. EFE-EPA

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