South Korea: Tropical Storm Khanun tracking northward across South Gyeongsang Province as of early Aug. 10 /update 17

Event

Tropical Storm Khanun is tracking northward across South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, early Aug. 10, following landfall earlier in the day. As of 12:00 KST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 35 km (22 miles) southeast of Chinhae, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

Forecast models indicate that the storm will weaken as it tracks north-northwestward across South Gyeongsang, western North Gyeongsang, then Gyeonggi provinces through Aug. 10, before entering North Korea early Aug. 11. The system is forecast to weaken into a tropical depression as it continues to track north-northwestward over North Korea's North Hwaghae, Pyongyang, Nampo, western South Pyongan, and western North Pyongan provinces through Aug. 11. The remnants of Khanun will likely dissipate over southeastern Liaoning Province in northeastern China early Aug. 12. Uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur in the coming days.

As of early Aug. 10, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued purple (the highest level on a three-tier scale) heavy rain and landslide warnings across southern Kagoshima, Miyazaki, eastern Ehime, and central Kochi prefectures. Red heavy rain, landslide, flood, storm/gale, and high wave warnings have been issued across Kyushu and Shikoku regions. Yellow warnings for various weather phenomena are in effect across much of the rest of western and central Japan. The JMA has advised residents to be on high alert for flooding and landslides. The heaviest rainfall totals of around 18 cm (7 inches) are likely in Shikoku and 15 cm (6 inches) in northern Kyushu through Aug. 11.

The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued typhoon warnings (the highest level on a two-tier scale) across much of the country as of early Aug. 10. Officials have issued typhoon advisories across the rest of the northwestern and southwestern parts of the country. The China Meteorological Administration has issued a blue typhoon warning (the lowest level on a four-tier scale), warning of rough seas in eastern coastal waters and heavy rainfall over northeastern Jilin and eastern Heilongjiang provinces through early Aug. 11.

Authorities have confirmed two fatalities as the system passed through Okinawa Prefecture late Aug. 1. At least 88 other people were also injured in Okinawa Prefecture. The inclement weather has injured at least 14 people in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, and Saga prefectures as of early Aug. 10, with reports of minor damage and landslides in Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures. Authorities are maintaining evacuation orders for hundreds of thousands of people across parts of Ehime, Kagoshima, Kochi, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Okinawa, and Saga prefectures, including a black ensure safety evacuation warning (the highest level on a three-tier scale) for Kobayashi City in Miyazaki Prefecture; full details on areas under evacuation can be found here. As of early Aug 10, more than 4,400 households in Kagoshima Prefecture, nearly 1,000 in Kumamoto Prefecture, nearly 500 households in Fukuoka Prefecture, and more than 2,000 in Nagasaki Prefecture are without power.

Airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the Ryukyu Islands and Kyushu Aug. 1-10. Oita Airport (OIT) canceled all flights from Aug. 9 and has closed the terminal building through at least early Aug. 10. Further flight cancellations and delays are likely due to the adverse weather conditions. Many rail and ferry services across Kyushu remain suspended until further notice due to the passing of the storm. The Kyushu and Sanyo Shinkansen have resumed normal operations. The Miyazaki Expressway, the Higashi Kyushu Expressway between Miyazaki and Oita prefectures, and the Kyushu Expressway between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures are closed.

Authorities in South Korea have evacuated more than 10,000 people from high-risk areas, mostly in the southern part of the country. Around 36,000 people attending the World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum were also evacuated to less exposed locations in towns and cities across South Korea Aug. 8. Authorities have canceled more than 450 flights across the country Aug. 9-10; further cancelations are likely in the coming days as Khanun progresses. Almost 400 roads across South Korea are closed. Authorities suspended ferry services and evacuated more than 60,000 vessels to port.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

The inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions and render some bridges or roadways impassable. Additional flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary closures of ports are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding increase insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.

Advice

Activate contingency plans in areas where officials forecast tropical storm conditions. Heed any evacuation orders that may be issued. Use extreme caution in low-lying coastal areas and near streams, creeks, and other waterways due to the potential for severe flooding and storm surge. Stockpile water, batteries, and other essentials in advance. Charge battery-powered devices when electricity is available; restrict the use of cellular phones to emergencies only. Power down mobile devices when not in use. Keep important documents and necessary medications in waterproof containers. Observe strict food and water precautions, as municipalities could issue boil-water advisories following flooding events. Take precautions against insect- and waterborne diseases in the coming weeks.

Plan accordingly for protracted commercial, transport, and logistics disruptions in areas in the path of the storm, especially if vital infrastructure is damaged. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where flooding has occurred. Confirm flights before checking out of hotels or driving to the airport; clearing passenger backlogs may take several days in some locations.

Resources

Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)
Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
China Meteorological Administration
Korea Meteorological Administration