Ministry of the Interior and Safety Emphasizes Preemptive Control of Underpasses Ahead of Typhoon 'Khanun' Approaching

Published 06 Aug.2023 18:50(KST)

A signboard of a building in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, fell due to Typhoon Khanun, the 6th typhoon, on the 3rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that as Typhoon No. 6 'Khanun' is expected to affect South Korea next week, it held a meeting on the 6th chaired by the Director of Disaster Management with 31 related agencies to discuss each agency's response plans.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, although the typhoon's path is highly variable at present, heavy rain and strong winds are likely to be concentrated between the 9th and 10th in Gangwon Yeongdong, the eastern coast of Gyeongsang, Ulleungdo, and Dokdo.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety urgently inspected areas affected by the monsoon season and vulnerable facilities at risk of casualties, requesting that if any risk factors are found, safety measures be promptly taken. In particular, it asked to recheck the cooperation system among related agencies to quickly control vulnerable facilities such as underground passages.

In addition, the ministry urged related ministries to conduct emergency inspections of national and local government facilities to thoroughly prepare in advance. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety ordered active implementation of pre-control of risk areas and resident evacuation, strengthened safety management such as controlling the entry and exit of ships and fishing boats in preparation for strong winds, high waves, and tsunamis, and pre-control of coastal areas during the vacation season. It also guided the public on behavioral rules such as refraining from going out during the peak impact hours of the typhoon and instructed to promptly inform disaster situations and evacuation orders using available media such as disaster text messages.

Lee Han-kyung, Director of Disaster Management at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said, "In preparation for the approaching typhoon, related agencies should make every effort to prevent casualties by proactively controlling and evacuating residents from risk areas such as landslide-prone regions, aging reservoirs, and underground passages." He added, "Please closely monitor the weather conditions and refrain from visiting dangerous areas such as coastal walking trails, rocky shores, breakwaters, and riverbanks within the typhoon's influence zone. During strong winds, please be cautious and avoid areas where falling objects are likely."