Flights, ferry services halted as Bavi moves northward

A man barely stands against typhoon-driven wind gusts on Jeju Island, Wednesday. Yonhap

Powerful typhoon expected to hit Seoul early Thursday

By Kim Se-jeong

All domestic flights and ferry services were halted in Korea, Wednesday, as Typhoon Bavi pounded Jeju Island and southern coastal regions with powerful winds and heavy rainfall. No deaths or injuries have been reported so far.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Bavi was around 170 kilometers west of Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, as of 8 p.m. Wednesday, moving north at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour.

As the typhoon was predicted to hit Seoul between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Thursday, the KMA issued a typhoon warning in the capital, beginning from 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Jeju International Airport canceled all 330 flights scheduled to depart and land on the island Wednesday. The airport also imposed a wind shear advisory, a warning for sudden changes in wind direction.

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Gimpo International Airport in Seoul also saw all flights to and from Jeju, Gimhae, Gwangju, Cheongju, Yangyang, Daegu and Ulsan canceled on the same day.

According to the KMA, Bavi is expected to be one of the strongest typhoons to hit Korea's west, with winds of up to 162 kilometers per hour, strong enough to move a standing adult and to cause trains to deviate.

"Damage and injuries are expected because of the powerful winds. People in the affected areas should stay vigilant," according to the weather forecaster.

All ferries from ports in Jeju and southern coastal cities were also canceled. South Jeolla Province alone saw 83 passenger ferries halted.

Early Wednesday, Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) had an emergency meeting, discussing worst-case scenarios and possible responses. Later that day, it partially halted train service in the country's southwestern region.

The weather forecaster issued a further typhoon advisory for Jeju and southern regions which have already been pounded with heavy rain. Part of Jeju saw more than 400 millimeters of rain as of 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, accompanied by thunder and lightning.

On Jeju Island, people have reported fallen trees and road signs and damage to buildings. The island government said at least 74 typhoon damage reports have been received.

Local authorities in South Jeolla Province were on high alert as their residents haven't fully recovered from the damage caused by heavy rainfall and ensuing flooding in early August. In Gurye, South Jeolla Province, 170 people are reportedly still living in makeshift shelters due to the slow process repairing and rebuilding damaged and destroyed homes.

The last time Korea was hit by a typhoon with such powerful wind force was 2003 when Typhoon Maemi ― Korean for cicada ― struck with winds of up to 280 kilometers per hour. Forecasters said Bavi may even break that record.

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