Strong wind broke windows and toppled trees, sign boards and traffic lights, causing power outtages and traffic congestion in Seoul as Typhoon Bolaven headed northbound Tuesday.

The power supply to 3,000 households was cut off in Samjeon-dong, southern Seoul, Tuesday, while uprooted trees and debris shut down roads in central and southern Seoul, including the Jongro and Apgujeong areas. The number of emergency calls to the fire department in the capital surpassed 160 as of 5:00 p.m.

As the approaching typhoon gained strength, citizens in the capital city became concerned over heading home.

“Maybe I should stay at work until the winds ease down,” said Kim Gyeong-won, an office worker in Yongsan, Seoul. 

The central and local governments remained on full alert to respond to the damage and accidents as the nation came under the impact of one of the strongest typhoons in decades.

More than 100 international flights and some 77 domestic flights were canceled, while Seoul City arranged for extended operation of subways and buses.

As people flocked to the subway in the morning, the stations were crowded amid temporary delays in operation. The city government also prohibited access to all the parks in the city for the day.

The Military Manpower Administration cancelled a scheduled training of reserved forces while the Defense Ministry, the Army, the Air Force and the Marines mobilized disaster response mode.

The Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs checked 206 roads nationwide that were thought to be in danger of landslides and the drainage system in the nation’s 16 airports. The ministry also worked to get rid of branches near electric lines and keep construction sites in check.

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy planned an emergency power supply plan in case of power cuts with the help of local power suppliers, recovery workers and equipment.

More than 20,000 places nationwide that are considered to be vulnerable to natural disasters were kept under watch by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, which also evacuated 1,000 people living in low-lying areas.

Citizens mostly opted to remain indoors, watching news reports of the damage and casualties across the nation.

“I canceled plans to meet up with one of my friends since we were concerned about the typhoon,” said Kwon Bo-young, a graduate student in Seoul.

As Seoul prepared for the typhoon’s approach, Busan, Korea’s southern port city, was one of the luckier cities that avoided a direct hit from the typhoon. Jeju, Jeolla and Gwangju were among those hardest-hit by the storm.

About 50,000 residents in Jeju had to stay in the dark as electricity was cut off. It has been reported the electricity to around 30,000 has not been restored.

“It is hard to proceed with the recovery work as the wind is blowing 30 meters per second. We cannot risk the safety of workers,” a Jeju government official said.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)