Flights and ferries halted in South Korea ahead of storm that’s dumped rain on Japan for a week

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In anticipation of the tropical storm Khanun, South Korea suspended dozens of flights and ferry services on Wednesday. The storm, which has been unleashing rain on Japan’s southwestern islands for over a week, is predicted to hit South Korea’s southern and eastern areas by Wednesday afternoon. It’s expected to first reach the southern resort island of Jeju and then make landfall near Tongyeong by early Thursday.

South Korea’s weather agency warned that Khanun could wreak havoc as it’s likely to traverse the nation’s core, accompanied by winds ranging from 56 to 97 mph, before heading to North Korea on Friday. As of Wednesday morning, the storm was gauged at typhoon strength, with top winds of 78 mph, while it was situated 223 miles southeast of Jeju, moving north at a speed of 7.4 mph.

Japan categorized Khanun as a severe tropical storm, with winds at 67 mph and stronger gusts, leading to warnings for adverse weather, possible flooding, and other hazards in parts of the country’s southern island of Kyushu and surrounding locations.

Previously, Khanun had struck Japan’s Okinawa and other islands as a more robust typhoon, resulting in injuries and destruction.

The South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol, has urged officials to take decisive action on disaster mitigation and evacuations, emphasizing the threats from the storm, especially after recent heavy rains had caused flash floods and landslides, leading to at least 41 fatalities.

As Khanun approached, the Korea Airport Corporation reported the cancellation of at least 144 flights to and from Jeju by 11 a.m. Mainland port-linked ferry services were also called off, and authorities closed 39 roads, 26 riverside parking areas, and 613 hiking trails across the country as part of comprehensive precautionary actions.

The storm’s impending arrival has led to the evacuation of the World Scout Jamboree, hosted at a coastal site in Buan county. On Tuesday, officials coordinated the transport of 37,000 global scouts to various accommodations in Seoul and adjacent regions using over 1,000 buses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Khanun

More about Khanun

• Korean Meteorological Administration for official weather forecasts and updates
• Japan Meteorological Agency for information on the storm’s impact in Japan
• World Scout Jamboree for updates on the event’s evacuation
• Major news websites in South Korea and Japan for detailed news and updates on the storm and related events.