Typhoon Hinnamnor: flights grounded in South Korea as 'strongest storm in decades' approaches

As South Korea braces for the worst storm in the decades, hundreds of flights were halted on Monday and more than 200 people evacuated after Typhoon Hinnamnor approached the southern region.

Heavy rains with winds of up to 290 kilometres per hour lashed the nation. The typhoon is expected to make a landfall near the mainland city of Busan.

The country will start to feel the full force of Hinnamnor, the strongest global storm this year, by early on Tuesday, AP reported.

Moreover, government officials have raised concern about potential huge damage from flooding, landslides and tidal waves triggered by the typhoon.

The typhoon is making a landfall just weeks after capital Seoul and nearby regions were pounded by heavy rainfall that unleashed flashfloods and killed at least 14 people.

Prime Minister Han Duk-soo has called for proactive efforts to evacuate residents in areas vulnerable to flooding.

In wake of the situation in South Korea, officials have asked all schools in Busan and nearby southern regions to remain closed or switch to online mode on Tuesday.

With AP inputs

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