Typhoon 'Haishen' Hits Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam, Passes Pohang, Advances to Donghae, Gangwon at 2 PM (Comprehensive)

Initially moving westward rather than northward along the East Coast
Strong wind radius large, affecting the entire country

Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures본부 raises crisis alert to highest level 'Severe'
Flight and train operations suspended
Nuclear power plant shutdown

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Typhoon No. 10 'Haishen' made landfall on the southern coast of Ulsan, contrary to expectations, causing a series of damage reports centered around the Busan area. Initially, Haishen was forecasted to move northward closely along the eastern sea of Busan. This typhoon has a strong wind radius of 380 km, bringing strong winds and rain nationwide.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, as of 10 a.m. on the 7th, Haishen is moving north at 59 km/h about 10 km southwest of Pohang on land. With a central pressure of 955 hPa and a maximum wind speed of 35 m/s (126 km/h), it is classified as a 'strong' typhoon. Haishen made landfall near the southern part of Ulsan around 9 a.m. that day. It is expected to continue moving north close to the coast and head out to the East Sea in front of Gangwon around 2 p.m.

This typhoon is characterized by strong winds comparable to the previous 'Maysak.' Early that morning in Geoje, winds reached 38.2 m/s (approximately 137 km/h). In Busan, heavy rain totaling 205.5 mm fell from the previous day until 9 a.m., and the maximum instantaneous wind speed recorded around 9 a.m. was 32.2 m/s.

Overall, the winds are somewhat weaker than Maysak, but the typhoon is showing a tendency to bring more rain, especially along the east coast.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters raised the typhoon crisis alert to the highest level, 'Severe,' and issued the highest emergency response level, Stage 3.

Meanwhile, strong winds caused road closures in various parts of the southern region, and operations of airplanes, passenger ships, and trains were suspended or delayed. In Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, the operation of two Wolsong nuclear reactors was halted. A large-scale blackout occurred in Ulsan.

Haishen may weaken rapidly due to the sea surface temperature below 28 degrees Celsius along the southern coast of Korea. The intensity is expected to decrease to moderate in the afternoon.

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