Thousands were forced to evacuate their homes and a state of emergency was declared. Firefighters are still battling the blaze while a massive rescue operation is underway.
Several residential areas burned down on August 9, including the Lahaina Resort on the west island of Maui. Wildfires spread rapidly and violently due to wind from distant storms – according to reuters,
The Hawaii Department of Transportation says at least 4,000 tourists are struggling to escape west of Maui. The island’s airport is still open and airlines are reducing fares to help outbound passengers.
Meanwhile, some people were forced to jump into the Pacific Ocean to escape, prompting the US Coast Guard to send rescue ships.
Burnt buildings in Lahaina, Hawaii – USA on August 10. Photo: EPA-EFE
Wildfires in Hawaii kill at least 36 people
In South Korea, one person was killed and another was missing in the city of Daegu when Typhoon Khanun struck the country’s south on the morning of 10 August, bringing heavy rain and flooding to several provinces and cities.
The Korea Meteorological Agency (KMA) forecast that Typhoon Khanun will weaken with a maximum wind speed of 104 km/h and continue to move northwards towards southern Korea. Slow-moving storms cause rainfall to last longer and cause more damage.
Connected yonhap Khanun’s forecast path is unprecedented because it is the first typhoon to cross the Korean peninsula since the agency began collecting information in 1951.
Prior to this, Typhoon Khanun’s direction was unusual in a zigzag shape, changing direction suddenly and continuously, affecting China, Japan and South Korea for about 10 days.
Unusual typhoon Khanun, “crossing” the Korean Peninsula, reached South Korea
