Thousands of coastal residents in South Korea have been evacuated as a powerful storm started to pummel the country’s southern regions. (August 10)
Report informs via AP that tropical Storm Khanun was pouring intense rain on South Korea on Thursday, turning roads into chocolate-colored rivers as it advanced north toward major urban centers near the capital.
More than a foot of rain has already fallen in southern areas from the storm that made landfall on the mainland during the morning. Emergency workers were responding to growing reports of flooding and landslides by afternoon.
More than 10,000 people, mostly in southern coastal areas, were forced to evacuate from their homes and the number was expected to grow as the heavy rains continue and rivers and streams rise.
No storm-related deaths or injuries have been reported so far, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Officials shut down hundreds of motorways, streets and public parks and sent text alerts warning about the perils posed by Khanun, which is hitting South Korea just weeks after torrential rains caused flash floods and landslides that killed at least 47 people.
More than 380 flights were grounded around South Korea, ferry services were halted and more than 60,000 fishing vessels sent to port.