Typhoon Chaba Threatens South Coast Areas

Residents of the southern region of the Korean peninsula are concerned about the number 16 Typhoon Chaba, which is due to hit Japan today and may also cause strong winds and hail damage to Jeju Island and the south coast island area.

On Saturday, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) predicted that Typhoon Chaba will hit Japan’s Kyushu region this morning and move out into the Pacific Ocean by dawn on Tuesday.

However, Typhoon Chaba has a center pressure of 940 hectopascals (hPa) and a radius of influence of 500km. This has led to concerns that the influence will not be small on Jeju Island and the south coast, as well as the east coast.

The KMA issued a hail warning for the Jeonnam and Gyeongnam coastal regions and the Busan and Ulsan areas starting this evening at 7, and a typhoon warning for the South Sea and the entire eastern seaboard starting at 9 p.m. Also, a high wind and waves warning is in effect in the entire South Sea region and the southern area of the East Sea.

The KMA said, “The end of August and beginning of September is a period of high seawater, and combined with a typhoon, the sea level will become even higher. With Gyeongnam, Jeonnam, and the south coast at the center, islands and seashore lowlands should especially prepare for flood damage caused by hail, strong winds.”

According to the forecast, Gangwon Youngdong, South and North Gyeongsang province, Uleungdo, and Dokdo will have between 20 and 50mm of precipitation, 80mm and above in some regions. Other areas are predicted to have from 5 to 30mm of precipitation.

Jong-Hoon Lee taylor55@donga.com