Typhoon “Maysak” makes landfall near Busan, South Korea

At least one person died and more than 2 000 were displaced as powerful Typhoon "Maysak" hit South Korea, authorities said Thursday, September 3, 2020.

• The storm packed maximum sustained winds of 170 km/h (105 mph) at the time of landfall, knocking down trees and poles, flooding streets, and cutting power to nearly 280 000 homes.
• Maysak is the 6^th Category 2 or greater storm to lash South Korea since credible records started in 1951, and the 4^th typhoon to hit the Korean Peninsula in the 2020 Pacific typhoon season. It also set a low-pressure record for South Korea at 950 hPa.

Maysak touched down near Busan, South Korea, on Wednesday, September 2, as Category 2 hurricane equivalent. Busan is South Korea's second-largest city and the world's fifth-largest port.

A woman died after a strong gust of wind shattered her apartment window in Busan, while an elderly man was injured.

More than 2 200 people evacuated to shelters, while around 278 6000 homes were left without power throughout the night across the southern region and on Jeju Island.

Since Tuesday, September 1, Jeju recorded 1 000 mm (39 inches) of rainfall.

More than 950 domestic flights were canceled, while some rail services were disrupted for safety purposes. As of Thursday morning, crews have managed to restore electricity to about 199 400 houses.

Typhoon "Maysak" at 15:30 UTC on September 2, 2020. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA

North Korea state media has broadcast footage showing #flooding in Pyongyang as Typhoon #Maysak churns across the country. The storm has now weakened but will continue to track into NE China. pic.twitter.com/iaqtoOQ5wU

— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) September 3, 2020

VIDEO: Devastation in Busan after Typhoon Maysak lashes South Korea.

At least one person was killed and more than 2,000 people evacuated to temporary shelters in South Korea as a powerful typhoon churned across the peninsula pic.twitter.com/nHdu7zPhuD

— AFP news agency (@AFP) September 3, 2020

In North Korea, the state media reported widespread flooding in the eastern coastal cities of Wonsan and Tanchon. No casualties have been reported.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said officials were working promptly to minimize damage from the storm. Buildings, roads, cropland, drainage system, and railways were examined and fishing boats were moved to safety. 

Image credit: JTWC

According to NHK World meteorologist Sayaka Mori, Maysak is the sixth Category 2 or greater storm to lash South Korea since credible records started in 1951, and the fourth typhoon to hit the Korean Peninsula during the current Pacific typhoon season.

Mori added that the storm set a low-pressure record for South Korea at 950 hPa, although it has lost intensity since it peaked as a Category 4 storm earlier this week. 

Meanwhile, Typhoon "Haishen" is rapidly intensifying on its way toward southern Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

The current forecast track takes it over the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and then into South Korea on September 6.

Typhoon "Haishan" at 07:10 UTC on September 3, 2020. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA

Featured image credit: JMA/Himawari-8. Acquired 15:30 UTC on September 2, 2020