Nine dead as Typhoon “Mitag” slams into South Korea
At least nine people have died while several others are still missing after Typhoon "Mitag" hit southern and eastern regions of South Korea on October 3, 2019. The storm made landfall in Haenam on October 2, with torrential rains spawning strong winds that moved across the south and southeast of the country.
Over 1 500 people, mostly from the southeastern region including Jeju Island, were evacuated from their residences.
Typhoon Mitag (Onyok) made landfall in Haenam County, South Korea (Zone 2 – E. Asia) as a tropical storm on Wednesday, October 2, 2019. pic.twitter.com/7hIyErHXUc
— Dale Link (@hurricanedale) October 3, 2019
According to reports, 4 inches (104 mm) of rainfall per hour was recorded in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, which made it the highest since 1971 when authorities began recording. Donghae City in Gangwon Province recorded 2 inches (67 mm) of rainfall per hour, the highest since 1992.
South Korean news agency Yonhap said heavy rains triggered landslides and flooding.
Typhoon "Mitag" at 07:00 UTC on October 2, 2019. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8
At least one person reportedly died in a landslide in Busan, while three are missing. Landslides also killed one resident in Samcheok, Gangwon Province and another in the Yeongdeok county.
Six people have been killed as Typhoon #Mitag barreled through southern South Korea. More than 1,500 people were evacuated from southeastern areas, where the typhoon brought severe flooding, which in turn triggered landslides. pic.twitter.com/8FvW2L72vg
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) October 3, 2019
Two other victims, one in the Pohang city and another in Seongju, were killed after being swept away by floods.
"An enormous amount of sand and earth slid down several hundred meters and instantly buried a house and a restaurant," according to a witness quoted by Yonhap.
Tropical Storm Mitag was tracked near South Korea with 45mph NE winds #Mitag #hurricane https://t.co/qXs3ImPQeU pic.twitter.com/idNweGGIbk
— My Hurricane Tracker (@HurricaneiOS) October 3, 2019
Mitag is the 18th typhoon this year and the seventh to pound the Korean Peninsula.
Featured image credit: Yonhap
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