Fri. Jul 5th, 2024

NNA – Dozens of flights and ferry services were grounded in South Korea on Wednesday ahead of a tropical storm that has dumped heavy rain on Japanrsquo;s southwestern islands for more than a week.

Khanunrsquo;s heavy rains and winds were expected to arrive in South Korearsquo;s southern and eastern regions Wednesday afternoon, South Korearsquo;s weather agency said. It is expected to reach the southern resort island of Jeju hours later and then make landfall near the mainland port of Tongyeong Thursday morning.

The agency says Khanun could have a punishing impact as it will likely slice through the center of the country over several hours, with the stormrsquo;s eye brushing the capital city of Seoul, while packing winds blowing at 90 to 154 kph (56 to 97 mph).

The storm is expected to dump 10 to 40 centimeters (4 to 16 inches) of rain in the countryrsquo;s southern and central regions and as much as 60 centimeters (24 inches) in the countryrsquo;s mountainous eastern regions through Friday. It will be weaker as it blows into North Korea early in the day.–AP

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=========R.H.

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