Severe Winds Hit South Korea, Leading to Damage
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Synopsis
On April 13, strong winds caused significant disruption across South Korea, toppling structures and leading to power outages. Authorities reported incidents in various regions, including Gyeonggi Province and Ulsan, with no major injuries despite the damage.
Key Takeaways
- Strong winds affected multiple regions in South Korea.
- Power outages were reported in several areas.
- No major injuries were recorded despite structural damages.
- Authorities responded to numerous safety concerns.
- Weather warnings remained in effect for ongoing gusts.
Seoul, April 13 (NationPress) Intense winds swept through South Korea on Sunday, leading to the destruction of structures and widespread power outages, as reported by officials.
In Gyeonggi Province, where a wind advisory was in effect, gusts peaked at 22.9 metres per second earlier in the day, according to Yonhap news agency.
In Suwon, located south of Seoul, a signboard in an entertainment area fell onto parked cars, while a wall adjacent to Suwon Station collapsed onto a pedestrian walkway. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in these incidents.
The fierce winds also resulted in power outages across various regions.
The roof of an abandoned factory in Ulsan, situated about 410 km southeast of Seoul, was ripped off by the winds and struck a nearby utility pole, causing a power outage that impacted roughly 50 homes.
A fallen tree branch damaged a high-voltage power line in Uijeongbu, north of Seoul, resulting in electricity loss for over 800 households.
As of Sunday evening, strong winds were projected to persist across much of the country until midnight, with gusts of 20 to 25 metres per second expected on the southern resort island of Jeju through Monday.
Due to the intense winds, outdoor structures frequently collapsed, covering vehicles. At approximately 10:50 a.m., a signboard in the entertainment district of Ingyedong in Suwon fell onto parked cars, and merely 20 minutes earlier, a several-metre-long wall collapsed onto the pedestrian path near Suwon Station. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties.
In the Cheoin District of Yongin, a gas station rest area collapsed, isolating one individual who was later rescued, and the fire department of Gyeonggi Province stated they had completed over 100 safety measures due to structural collapses or overturns.
In Daejeon, shortly after noon at 12:07 p.m., a window was shattered on the eighth floor of a mixed-use building in Jung-gu, prompting a response from the 119 rescue team. In Seogwipo City and Jocheon-eup in Jeju City, decades-old trees succumbed to the strong winds and fell onto the roads.
