Typhoon Haishen Moving North Along the East Coast Causes Flight and Train Service Disruptions

As of the morning of the 7th, Busan and Gyeongnam fully affected... 15 roads including Geoga Bridge and Busan Port Bridge closed
Railway on 11 lines suspended, along with flights and ferries... No casualties reported so far

As Typhoon Haishen, the 10th typhoon, moves northward, a roadside tree has fallen onto the road in Busanjin-gu, Busan, on the morning of the 7th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the 10th typhoon 'Haishen' moves northward to the waters near Busan, heavy rain and strong winds are causing continuous damage in Busan and the Gyeongnam region. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 7th, at around 2:38 a.m., a traffic light was knocked down by strong winds in Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan. Earlier, at 2:17 a.m., strong wind damage such as fallen street trees occurred at the intersection near Peace Church in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu.

The Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters received a total of 61 damage reports related to concerns about falling signboards due to strong winds, and 119 rescue teams were dispatched urgently.

Road closures continued due to strong winds. Starting at midnight, the Geoga Bridge connecting Busan and Geoje in Gyeongnam was closed, followed by closures of Suyeon Bridge, Yeonan Bridge, and Sebyeong Bridge in Dongnae-gu. Additionally, the road section from Deokcheon Drainage Pump Station to Hwamyun Ecological Park and both directions of Sugwan Bridge were closed, and traffic was also prohibited on Busan Harbor Bridge and Eulsukdo Bridge, totaling 15 controlled sections.

Train operations were also suspended. Operations were halted on 10 conventional lines including the Gyeongbu Line connecting Dongdaegu and Busan, the Gyeongjeon Line between Samnangjin and Jinju, the Donghae Line from Bujeon to Yeongdeok, and the Jungang Line from Jecheon to Gyeongju, as well as one light rail line. Flights at 10 airports including Jeju, Gimpo, and Gimhae were canceled for 311 flights, and all 161 vessels on 103 ferry routes were suspended.

Since the previous day, power supply was cut off to 4,896 households in Seogwipo City, Jeju (498 households), Gimhae City, Gyeongnam (3,538 households), and Buk-gu, Ulsan (860 households), but all have now been restored.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters raised the typhoon crisis alert to the highest level, 'Severe,' at 7 p.m. the previous day and issued the highest emergency response level 3. Considering the overlap of the typhoon's arrival time with high tide, raising concerns about flooding in low-lying areas and a high risk of landslides, the crisis alert and response level were elevated, and relevant ministries and local governments were instructed to activate corresponding response postures and emergency systems.

In addition, to minimize outdoor activities during the typhoon's approach and reduce casualties, the central government, local governments, public institutions, and private companies were requested to flexibly adjust commuting hours and school attendance times.

Jin Young, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, urged, "All ministries and local governments should ensure timely mobilization of personnel, equipment, and supplies," and asked the public to "follow typhoon safety guidelines such as stopping outdoor work and refraining from going out."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.