Busan is good

Typhoon alert issued

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With the country expected to come under the direct influence of Typhoon Ewiniar as of Sunday night, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has issued a typhoon alert.

The KMA announced that the third typhoon so far this year was located about 350 kilometers southwest of Jeju Island as of Sunday morning and was expected to pass through Jeju Island between Sunday night and Monday morning.

The typhoon is expected to pass between Korea and China, accompanied by heavy rains and strong winds from Tuesday morning at the earliest, according to the agency.

According to KMA, Ewiniar, which formed late June in the western Pacific, seemed to weaken as it swept north, but has since strengthened, with 138 kilometer-an-hour winds as it swept through Okinawa.

Heavy rain began flooding Chungcheong-do, Gyeongsang-do, brought in by air currents accompanying the typhoon from the southwest. Amid lightning and rain storms up to 40 millimeters of rain per hour fell.

The KMA has been closely monitoring the typhoon's course over the past few days.

The agency warn people to avoid any activity off the South Coast and Jeju Island Monday as waves will be bigger and more powerful than normal. Low-lying areas in the southwestern part of the country have also been alerted to the possibility of flooding.

“Since more and more regions will be covered by heavy rain, people who enjoy swimming or camping in the mountains or valleys should take special caution regarding the weather changes over the weekend,” a KMA official said.

Busan reported 141 millimeters of rain, while strong winds caused flights cancellations into and from the southeastern port city.

The KMA forecasts Ewiniar could bring more than 150mm of rain with it.

The source of news : Korea.net  July 10, 2006