Typhoon covering full moon

Typhoon covering full moon. September. 18, 2016 08:03. by 김윤종기자, 박성민기자 zozo@donga.com,min@donga.com.

After a 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do and caused damages on Sept. 12, right before the Chuseok holiday, typhoon pounded the nation and caused heavy rain and damages on Saturday, near the end of holiday.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted Saturday heavy rain of up to 200 millimeters in the Southern area by Sunday morning as low pressure with high humidity enters the Korean Peninsula due to Typhoon Meranti(14th) and Malakas (16th).

While people were busy to return to Seoul, heavy rain, wind, and lightning storm was observed on Jeju Island and in southern parts of the Korean Peninsula on Saturday, recording hourly precipitation intensity of greater than 30 mm. Thus, heavy rain warning was issued in southern Chungcheong and southern areas and many people experienced inconveniences. Seventeen sea routes of Jeonnam areas including Mokpo, Yeosu, and Wando were closed on that day, stranding 15,000 among 109,000 people who visited the areas during the Chuseok holiday. The departure of 58 flights was delayed in the Jeju International Airport, catching up with passengers.

Extreme weather conditions not only cause longer driving hours back to Seoul, but also raise concerns over potential secondary damages. The ground of Gyeongju and neighboring areas in North Gyeongsang Province, where efforts to restore the damages were made, has weakened due to the earthquakes on Sept. 12.