Typhoon Bavi is moving toward the Korean Peninsula and will reach the West Sea Wednesday following a course change, the state-run weather agency said Sunday, calling for thorough preparations.
At an emergency media briefing, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said the eighth typhoon of the season was moving northward at 14 kilometers per hour from waters 280 kilometers northeast of Taipei as at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Its central pressure was reported to be 990 hectopascals, with a maximum wind speed of 86 kilometers per hour near its center, and a wind radius of 240 kilometers.
The typhoon, bringing strong winds and heavy rains, is expected to reach waters west of Jeju Island on Wednesday afternoon and continue northward along the west coast.
Seoul and the surrounding areas are expected to come under the direct influence of the typhoon on Thursday morning.
The weather agency, which originally forecast that the typhoon would move off Korea on the east coast near Gangwon Province, noted the typhoon’s course has changed.
The typhoon forecast comes after the nation was hit by massive downpours that caused deadly floods, landslides and casualties earlier this month during this year’s monsoon that marked the country’s longest rainy season since a 49-day streak in 2013.
“Some areas that already suffered damage caused by the heavy rains will receive massive downpours again,” said KMA administrator Kim Jong-seok. “Thorough preparations are needed to prevent additional damage.”
The KMA said the southern resort island of Jeju was expected to receive more than 300 millimeters of rain, with its mountainous region forecast to receive more than 500 millimeters.
North and South Jeolla provinces are expected to receive up to 150 millimeters of rain, while other parts of the nation may experience rain of 30 to 100 millimeters.
SOURCE: The Korea Times/Yonhap
