South Korea battles power cuts after Typhoon Hinnamnor makes landfall

Authorities closed more than 600 schools and local airlines grounded about 250 domestic flights as a precaution

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Typhoon Hinnamnor made landfall in South Korea early on Tuesday, causing power disruptions and leaving one person missing, but with few early reports of major damage as it headed back to sea.

The typhoon, one of the most powerful to bear down on the country in decades, hit the country's southern island of Jeju overnight before making landfall near the port city of Busan, which was battered by huge waves and heavy rain, damaging beachfront roads and shops.

The typhoon was moving at a speed of 43 metres a second when it made landfall, authorities said.

A man, 25, went missing after falling into a rain-swollen stream in the eastern coastal city of Ulsan, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said.

As a precaution, authorities closed more than 600 schools nationwide, and local airlines grounded about 250 domestic flights, but services gradually resumed on Tuesday as Hinnamnor headed towards Japan.

North Korea had also been bracing for the storm, with leader Kim Jong-un overseeing a meeting in Pyongyang to assess the country's disaster preparedness, official state media reported on Tuesday.

Experts say North Korea is particularly vulnerable to flooding and heavy rains due to deforestation and poor irrigation.

As of Tuesday morning, 3,463 people had been rescued, mostly from the southern regions, according to the authorities.

The typhoon has forced businesses to suspend operations and school to close.

A representative for Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering said there were no incidents at its shipyard so far. The company halted production on Tuesday morning as planned.

Shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries said it planned to resume work on Tuesday afternoon. Both shipyards are in locations that are in or near the path the typhoon took.

Updated: September 06, 2022, 5:38 AM