Typhoon Approaching Korean Peninsula

Typhoon Shanshan, which is moving fast toward the Korean Peninsula made tens of thousands of vessels in the South Sea seek shelter and caused cancellation of domestic and overseas airline flights.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has forecasted that the most critical stage will continue until September 18 when Shanshan will be passing through the East Sea (the Straits of Korea).

In Jeju Island yesterday, over 3,000 vessels sheltered due to four-to-six-meter waves and strong winds. Mr. Eun (57, Seo-gu, Busan), a sailor aboard the fishing boat 701 Dongnam having sheltered to Jeju harbor, passed away when he fell overboard, stepping off the ship.

As a typhoon warning had been issued in coastal areas of Busan and South Gyeongsang Province, over 30 passenger ships and over 5,000 vessels urgently sheltered, and over 20 airline flights, which were about to take off from the Gimhae International Airport, were canceled.

In Honam District, over 80 passenger ships sailing off Mokpo harbor, Yeosu harbor, and Wando harbor are not in service, and the National Park in the Mt. Jiri is declared strictly off-limits.

Shanshan is characterized by strong wind rather than heavy rain. According to the KMA yesterday, Shanshan blows 45 meters per second (162 kilometers per hour) in maximum, and once reached 49 meters.

A wind 30 meters per second is strong enough to root up a tree. The KMA forecasted that it would rain 50 to 100 millimeters (up to 150 millimeters or more in some areas) in Yeongdong area of Gangwon (east Gangwon), Ulleungdo, Dokdo, and Yeongnam area; 20 to 60 millimeters or more (up to 80 millimeters) in Jeju and costal areas of south Jeolla Province. 10 to 40 millimeters is expected in Yeongseo area of Gangwon (west Gangwon) and Chuncheong Province; around five millimeters in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province.