East Asia braces for havoc as typhoon approaches

Typhoon Hinnamnor was gaining strength and expected to bring torrential downpours, gale-force winds and rough seas to coastal regions in East Asia as it inches northward.

The Republic of Korea's state weather agency said Typhoon Hinnamnor reached waters off the southern island of Jeju on Monday, as the ROK braces for what could be the most powerful storm to hit the country.

ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Monday he will be on "emergency standby" as the powerful typhoon nears the nation, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The typhoon has forced flight cancellations, closures of schools and suspensions of certain business operations as the ROK raised its typhoon alert level to its highest. More than 200 people evacuated on Monday, The Associated Press reported.

As heavy rain and strong wind, already pelting the southern part of the country, continue to barrel northward, the ROK's three major telecom operators have rolled out emergency measures against potential network disruptions amid the powerful typhoon, Yonhap reported.

After brushing past Jeju, Typhoon Hinnamnor was forecast to make landfall 80 kilometers north-northwest of the southern port city of Busan on Tuesday morning, the Korea Meteorological Administration said.

Government officials raised concern about potentially huge damage from flooding, landslides and tidal waves triggered by the typhoon.

Meanwhile, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was taking precautions as it braces for the powerful typhoon churning toward the Korean Peninsula, Korean Central News Agency reported.

DPRK officials have inspected buildings at risk of flooding or collapsing, and authorities have taken preventive measures in areas frequently hit by mudslides and inspected transportation facilities. Fishing boats out in the sea were recalled to port, KCNA reported.

Typhoon Hinnamnor may approach Japan's southwestern main island of Kyushu on Tuesday, Japan's weather agency said, along with warnings of high waves, strong wind gusts and mudslides.

It was moving slowly north over the East China Sea after passing between Ishigaki and Miyako islands in Okinawa Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Sunday, advising people in eastern and western Japan to also stay alert.

On Monday, airlines and flights were canceled and some companies were suspending production at factories in the western part of Japan.

Xinhua - Agencies