Typhoon to Hit Korean Peninsula

With Rammasun, the fifth typhoon this year, moving toward the Korean Peninsula, a typhoon warning is posted for the entire country. The typhoon is expected to dump up to more than 250 mm of rain in some parts of the country.

As of 3 PM on July 5, Rammasun brought about up to 372 mm of rain in Jeju. The force of the typhoon is weakened while heading upward. And it changed its course gradually to the east and is expected to hit the peninsula, raising concern over damage from heavy rain.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said that as of 3 PM, Rammasun is 280 km away from Jeju Island and is heading north at the speed of 17 km per hour.

One official of KMA forecasted, “Rammasun would lose its power after scattering rain until Sunday. And it is likely to clear up gradually in the afternoon on July 7.”

As of afternoon Friday, The typhoon is weakened from top-grade strength to middle-grade with the central pressure of 965hPa, winds of up to 33 meters per second, and the central radius of 430㎞. But it still accompanies strong winds and heavy rains.

At 5 PM Friday, The KMA posted a typhoon warning in Jeju Island and Honam area and a typhoon caution in Seoul, Kyonggi Province, and North Kyongsang Province.

The expected rainfall on Friday and Saturday is 60∼200㎜ in Seoul, Kyonggi, and Chungchung areas, 80∼250㎜ in Honam area, and 60∼150㎜ in South Kyongsang area.

As of 3.PM on July 5, the precipitation amounted to 372.0㎜ in Mt. Hanra, 225.5 mm in Jeju City, 130.0㎜ in Seokwipo City, 105.0㎜ in Haenam, 83.5㎜ in Wando, and 44.5㎜ in Busan respectively.

Meanwhile, because of the typhoon, international and domestic flights were cancelled and the whole operation of passenger ships in most of the country was suspended.

Ho-Gab Lee gdt@donga.com