Typhoon ``Saomai¡¯¡¯ fades away

Typhoon Saomai, accompanied by strong wind and torrential rains, penetrated the Yongnam (Kyongsang-do) area, faded away through the East sea at about noon, on Saturday, and ceased to exist.

The season¡¯s 14th typhoon left three persons dead, one missing and enormous damages as many farmlands, houses and school buildings were flooded or destroyed.

According to the Central Anti-Calamity Headquarters, a total of 56 houses were destroyed or inundated across the nation by Saturday afternoon, leaving 24 persons from 10 households homeless.

A total of 3,900ha of farmland were reported to be flooded and many agricultural products in the harvesting season, including rice plants on 8,000 ha which were beaten down by the wind and flood, were damaged.

In particular, in Yongnam area which suffered a great damage, all the elementary, middle and high schools were closed for one day Saturday and a flood warning was posted in three locations in the lower reaches of the Naktong River, including Chin-dong in Haman-kun, Kyongsangnam-do.

A flood warning was also posted in the Hyongsan River valley in Taesong, Pohang City, Kyongsangbuk-do and two places in the lower streams of the Geumgang River in Ganggyong County, Nonsan City, Chungchongnam-do.

Choi Sung-Jin choi@donga.com