North Korea: Tropical Storm Bavi strengthens into typhoon August 24 /update 1

Event

Tropical storm Bavi strengthened into a typhoon on Monday, August 24, as it moved north towards the East China Sea. Bavi is currently located 281km (175mi) west of Amami (Japan) and is sustaining winds of up to 176kmh (109mph). Bavi is expected to strengthen as it moves towards the Korean Peninsula and is forecast to be west of Jeju (South Korea) by the afternoon of Wednesday, August 26, before making landfall in Hwanghae province in the vicinity of Ryongyon on Thursday, August 27.

Rainfall is expected to reach up to 100mm (4in) across the Korean Peninsula whilst northwestern regions of North Korea will receive up to 200mm (8in). Wind gusts may also reach as high as 115kmh (70mph) in some areas. Forecasters have warned that flooding, mudslides, wind damage, and power outages are possible in northwestern regions in particular.

Context

Similar to the rest of the Korean Peninsula, there is a credible risk of storm landfall during the typhoon season, which usually runs from July to September. Most storms that reach North Korea have typically weakened following initial landfall in South Korea, although they still have the capacity to unleash heavy downpours and strong winds that pose considerable hazards to human life and infrastructure as well as cause significant economic losses.

It is worth noting that a lack of comprehensive and effective anti-flood measures, weak and poorly maintained infrastructure (particularly outside Pyongyang), and poor national emergency management increases the risk of widespread devastation resulting from powerful storm systems. The government's tight media censorship also prevents outsiders from determining exact casualty figures and damage.

Advice

Those in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid areas directly affected by flooding, confirm road conditions before setting out, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.