Image Credits- koreaherald
South Korea is ramping up preparations as Typhoon Jongdari heads towards the Korean Peninsula, bringing the threat of heavy rainfall and powerful winds. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, during a high-level meeting on Monday, urged government agencies to take proactive measures to minimize potential damage and ensure the safety of citizens.
Typhoon Jongdari, currently situated about 200 kilometres west of Japan’s Okinawa as of Monday afternoon, is expected to make its presence felt on the Korean Peninsula by Tuesday morning. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the typhoon is forecast to pass over waters southwest of Jeju Island around 9 a.m. before moving northward along the western coast. While the storm is expected to weaken into a tropical low-pressure system over the waters southwest of Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, by Wednesday, it still poses a serious threat to vulnerable areas.
Prime Minister Han emphasized the importance of preemptive inspections. He urged officials to secure coastal areas and reinforce infrastructure, particularly in regions that were heavily impacted by last month’s torrential rains. “We must do everything possible to prevent casualties and further damage,” Han stated, underscoring the need for a comprehensive response that includes securing fishing ports, protecting buildings, and reinforcing public facilities from the expected high winds and storm surges.
Government agencies across the country have been placed on high alert, with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety convening an emergency response meeting late Monday. Officials discussed measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the typhoon, including reinforcing coastal defences and providing guidance to residents in high-risk areas. The ministry has also activated a 24-hour emergency protocol to coordinate disaster response efforts and monitor the situation as the storm develops.
The Korea Meteorological Administration warned that while Typhoon Jongdari is expected to weaken as it moves inland, the storm could still bring significant rainfall and strong winds to much of the peninsula. Jeju Island, in particular, is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with wind speeds potentially reaching dangerous levels early Tuesday. As the storm progresses, heavy rains are expected across the southern and central regions of South Korea, raising concerns about flooding and landslides in already saturated areas.