Ministry of the Interior and Safety Raises Crisis Alert to “Caution” for Jeju and the Southern Coast Amid Typhoon Champi

[Financial News]  
With at least 100 mm of heavy rain accompanied by strong winds forecast for Jeju Island and the southern coastal areas due to Typhoon No. 30, Champi, the government raised the storm and flood disaster crisis alert from “Attention” to “Caution.”
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) said it had raised the storm and flood disaster crisis alert to the “Caution” level for Jeju Island, South Jeolla and Gwangju, Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang, effective at 6 p.m. on the 24th.
The measure followed the issuance of preliminary typhoon advisories at 4 p.m. that day for the outer waters south of Jeju Island and the eastern outer waters of the South Sea. MOIS held a situation assessment meeting chaired by the director general of its Natural Disaster Response Bureau and decided to raise the crisis alert.
The preliminary typhoon advisory is expected to take effect in the outer waters south of Jeju Island between 6 a.m. and noon on the 25th, and in the eastern outer waters of the South Sea between noon and 6 p.m. that day.
In particular, at least 100 mm of heavy rain accompanied by strong winds is forecast, mainly in Jeju and along the southern coast, due to a convergence band ahead of the typhoon. This band is an area where air converges and rises ahead of the typhoon, causing rain clouds to develop.
Following its deployment to Jeju, MOIS also sent additional field situation management officers to South Jeolla and Gwangju, Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang. The officers will check local governments’ preparations for the typhoon and heavy rain and ensure that needed on-site assistance is provided promptly.
Earlier, on the 23rd, MOIS held an interagency response meeting chaired by Kim Yong-gyun, director of its Natural Disaster Management Office, with central government ministries and agencies, local governments and public institutions taking part.
At the meeting, officials checked the safety management of outdoor advertisements and construction-site screens, which are vulnerable to strong winds, as well as the maintenance of drainage facilities such as storm drains in preparation for torrential rain and plans to restrict access to hazardous areas in advance.
MOIS Minister Yun Ho-jung said, “The government will work closely with all relevant agencies and devote every effort to managing the situation to prevent loss of life and property damage until the effects of this typhoon and heavy rain have completely passed.”
He added, “I urge everyone to check weather information regularly and cooperate fully if local governments issue restrictions or evacuation instructions.”

[email protected] Lee Bomi Reporter