BUSAN, South Korea (AP) — Tropical Storm Khanun was dumping heavy rain on South Korea Thursday, turning roads into chocolate-colored rivers and killing at least one person as it moved north. to the main urban centers near the capital.
More than a foot of rain fell in the eastern and southern areas after the storm made landfall on the mainland in the morning. Emergency workers responded to increasing reports of flooding and mudslides in the afternoon.
More than 16,000 people, mostly in the southern regions, were evacuated from their homes. The number was expected to increase as heavy rains continue and rivers and streams swell.
Authorities have closed hundreds of highways, streets and public parks and sent out text alerts warning of the dangers posed by Khanun, which is plaguing South Korea weeks later. Torrential rains caused flash flooding and landslides that killed at least 47 people.
Khanun made landfall around 9:20 am near the southeastern port city of Geoje, Khanun, and was approaching the central city of Chungju on Thursday night.
The storm’s strength decreased as it moved inland. It was generating top wind speeds of 53 miles per hour (86 kilometers per hour), compared with around 80 mph (129 kph) at the point of landfall.
Since Wednesday, the storm has thrown nearly 16 inches (40 centimeters) in some areas of the eastern and southern regions of the country. Khanun continued to dump heavy rain as it slowly moved toward the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, where half of South Korea’s 51 million people live.
The storm was expected to move into North Korea early Friday, but forecasters said the greater Seoul area would still feel its force until Friday afternoon.
Among the areas of South Korea hardest hit by Khanun is the southern inland city of Daegu, where rescuers navigated a submerged village in rubber boats, searching for residents who may have been left behind.
A 67-year-old man who was found unconscious near a swollen stream was later pronounced dead at a hospital, according to Lee Ga-yeon, an official with the Daegu fire department. City emergency workers were looking for at least one other person who had been reported missing, Lee said.
In Gangwon province, a mountainous region on the east coast where the Korea Meteorological Administration forecast 50 to 60 centimeters (20 to 23 inches) of rain in some places, emergency workers in the coastal cities of Gangneung and Sokcho waded rivers of brown color, thigh -High level of water covering what used to be streets.
In nearby Yangyang county, workers repaired another creek embankment that collapsed and was spilling water onto a main road.
In the southern city of Changwon, emergency workers used ropes to rescue pedestrians trapped in large swathes of flooded roads and responded to landslides that spilled dirt and other debris onto highways. Residents and shop owners blocked their doors with sandbags, while workers set up flood shields to protect a major seafood market.
In Geoje, emergency workers wearing helmets examined a parking lot where vehicles were crushed or damaged by bricks and other debris apparently blown by strong winds.
On the coast of Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, several highways were closed due to flooding. Emergency workers cleared uprooted trees that collapsed on roads and responded to destroyed walls and fences, broken windows and other damage. A public park in the Yeonje district was submerged.
The neighboring cities and towns of Gimhae, Ulsan, Pohang and Gimcheon issued flood warnings for areas near rivers and streams that flow through their urban districts.
More than 380 flights in South Korea have been cancelled, ferry services halted and more than 60,000 fishing boats sent to port.
khanun meandered around the islands of southern Japan for over a week, cutting power and disrupting traffic. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of possible landslides and flooding in the affected areas. He also said that Typhoon Lan was gaining strength in the Pacific Ocean and forecast that it will affect Japan’s main islands next week. Lan was about 220 kilometers (136 miles) south of Chichi Island and had winds of up to 126 kph (78 mph) on Thursday, threatening remote islands with high winds and heavy rain over the weekend, meteorologists from China said. Japan.
Central Japan Railway Co. said some Shinkansen bullet train services may be delayed or suspended between Sunday and Wednesday, depending on the typhoon’s path.
Khanun previously forced South Korea to evacuate the World Scout Jamboree that was happening in a coastal camp. Around 37,000 Scouts were transferred to university dormitories, government and corporate training centers. and hotels in Seoul and nearby areas.
Despite the storm, the organizers went ahead with plans to hold a K-Pop concert on Friday to accompany the closing ceremony of the Jamboree.
Workers clad in raincoats worked on scaffolding at the Seoul World Cup Stadium to install lights and other stage preparations, even as the wind began to pick up in the city.
___
Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea. AP writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage is supported by several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___
Follow AP’s climate change coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment