태풍 '장미' 피해 없이 소멸...정총리 "전남•전북 등 특별재난지역 선포 신속 진행"
Typhoon Jangmi, which formed southwest of Okinawa in Japan on Sunday, reached the southern part of the Korean peninsula earlier this afternoon amid pouring rain.
The typhoon came to a halt shortly after it arrived in Korea but with rain continuing to pour nationwide, authorities here are warning extra caution particularly as landslides and flooding triggered by days of heavy downpours have already led to scores of deaths and nearly 4-thousand people have been displaced.
Hong Yoo begins our coverage tonight.
The first Typhoon to hit South Korea this year, Typhoon Jangmi, ceased shortly after reaching the peninsula on Monday afternoon without causing too much damage.
But, the typhoon has brought more rain to an already saturated country, especially to the coastlines of Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces.
A heavy rain watch has been issued in Seoul as the summer monsoonal front that had been pushed north by the typhoon is moving southwards again.
Meanwhile, at Gimpo International Airport, flights are being canceled.
Korea Airports Corporation says at least 63 domestic flights scheduled to depart from Gimpo were cancelled on Monday.
In an emergency response meeting Monday morning, Prime Minister Chung Sye-Kyun ordered officials to promptly designate regions hit hard by heavy rain, such as Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do provinces, as a "special disaster areas".
Residents in those areas can receive a reduction in utility bills, health insurance premiums and other public charges.
Furthermore, local governments can receive state financial support for any damage recovery efforts being carried out.
Prime Minister Chung also urged officials to take "exhaustive" measures to ensure people's safety in especially vulnerable areas.
"The land has become weakened due to the heavy rain. We must be prepared for additional landslides and building collapses."
Chung advised the public to refrain from going outdoors if unnecessary and from excessive outdoor activities.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.
