(4th LD) Typhoon Jangmi to weaken to extratropical cyclone as it moves northward

National 17:09 August 10, 2020

(ATTN: UPDATES headline, lead, first eight paras with details, photos)

SEOUL, Aug. 10 (Yonhap) -- Typhoon Jangmi, which landed in South Korea on Monday afternoon as the season's first typhoon, is expected to weaken to an extratropical cyclone before moving away from the country.

The typhoon was moving northeast at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour after landing on the southern tip of Geoje Island near Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province at 2:50 p.m. after forming at seas some 600 kilometers southwest of Okinawa, Japan, the previous day.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said while strong winds accompanied by the typhoon will weaken, heavy rain will fall on some parts of the country, including the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon, Chungcheong and Gyeongsang provinces.

On the eastern coast of Gyeongsang and Gangwon provinces, wind speed was forecast to reach up to 35-60 km per hour, peaking at 90 km per hour.

The weather agency projected clouds and rain to hover over the country into Tuesday.

Precipitation for the two-day period was expected at 50-150 millimeters in the southern areas of Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, as well as Chungcheong Province and North Jeolla.

Rain of 30 to 80 mm was also forecast for parts of Seoul, Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces as well as South Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces.

The weather agency advised preventive measures against possible damage, warning that ground could have weakened due to recent downpours.

High waves are seen at Haeundae Beach in the southeastern port city of Busan on Aug. 10, 2020, as Typhoon Jangmi moved northward. (Yonhap)

A pedestrian struggles to carry an umbrella as heavy rain fell at Haeundae Beach in the southeastern port city of Busan on Aug. 10, 2020, as Typhoon Jangmi moved northward. (Yonhap)

An electronic board at Jeju International Airport in Jeju displays flights that have been canceled in a precautionary measure against Typhoon Jangmi on Aug. 10, 2020. (Yonhap)

High waves are seen at a beach in Seogwipo on the southern resort island of Jeju on Aug. 10, 2020, as typhoon Jangmi moved closer to the country. (Yonhap)

This photo, from Aug. 9, 2020, shows fishermen in the southeastern port city of Busan moving ships to dry land to prepare for Typhoon Jangmi, which was expected to hit South Korea this week. (Yonhap)

In Jeju, which was among the first areas to be affected by Jangmi, 36 domestic flights were canceled as a precautionary measure. An operation ban was also placed on 15 ships that connect Jeju to other parts of the country via nine routes, with some 2,000 boats docked for safety.

Damage, however, was limited, with wind speed measuring at 1 to 5 meters per second at noon. A typhoon advisory was lifted as of 1 p.m.

Still, authorities said around 30-80 millimeters of rain is expected to fall on the island until Tuesday morning.

The typhoon, which means "rose" in Korean, came as the country is going through an unusually long monsoon season this year.

Ships are docked at a port in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, on Aug. 10, 2020, in a precautionary measure against Typhoon Jangmi that was moving northward. (Yonhap)

Visitors enjoy nature at a cafe in Seogwipo on the country's southern resort island of Jeju on Aug. 10, 2020. Damage from Typhoon Jangmi, which passed near the island earlier in the day, was limited. (Yonhap)

This photo, provided by the office of North Jeolla Province on Aug. 9, 2020, shows a road in Jangsu, North Jeolla Province, that was damaged due to the recent heavy downpours. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)

This year's monsoon season, which began on June 24 in the central region, has shown no signs of letting up, and it is likely to end later than the Aug. 10 record in 1987.

The monsoon season is also expected to set a fresh record as the longest one after a 49-day record in 2013. The monsoon has continued for 47 days and is likely to exceed 50 days, as seasonal rain is forecast to extend to mid-August.

The seasonal rain, which has pounded the central region with heavy downpours in August, has left 42 people dead or missing and damaged 14,091 facilities. Nearly 7,000 have been displaced from their homes.

Cows stand on the roof of a cattle shed in the county of Gurye, South Jeolla Province, on Aug. 9, 2020, as the region suffered from flooding caused by recent heavy downpours. (Yonhap)

In a government response meeting, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged officials to take "exhaustive" measures to brace against the typhoon while abiding by safety rules.

"While this typhoon is a small one, its speed is very quick, raising concerns over damage from strong winds," Chung said, "Please take exhaustive measures against strong winds in Jeju and the southern coastal areas which are under the typhoon's influence."

Chung, meanwhile, reminded the public to refrain from going out unnecessarily and officials to heed to safety during their rescue and at-the-scene duties.

mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)