Jongdari Deluge: Flash Floods Swamp South Korean Cities as Storm Weakens
Tropical Storm Jongdari formed over the western North Pacific on 18 August 2024 and moved northward toward the Korean Peninsula after developing east of the Ryukyu Islands. The storm reached peak strength on 19 August with maximum sustained winds of 40 knots and a central pressure of 996 hPa near 26.3°N, 126.0°E. Jongdari brought intense rainfall, flooded roads, and transportation disruptions to parts of South Korea as the system weakened after crossing the peninsula region. The cyclone completed its transition into an extratropical system over the northern western Pacific on 22 August.
Okinawa Waters Birth: How a Late-Summer Disturbance Became Tropical Storm Jongdari
Jongdari began as a tropical depression at 00:00 UTC on 18 August near 24.0°N, 126.2°E, east of the Ryukyu Islands. The system strengthened while moving through the western North Pacific, becoming a tropical storm later that day. The Japan Meteorological Agency, serving as the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the western North Pacific, assigned the name Jongdari within the regional tropical cyclone naming system.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration also monitored the system within its area of responsibility, assigning it the local name Dindo. Jongdari remained outside the Philippines’ land-impact zone, but its formation occurred within the wider monitoring region that covers the western Pacific and South China Sea.
During its first day as a named storm, Jongdari moved northward across waters near Okinawa and the East China Sea. Its wind field strengthened from tropical storm intensity to a peak of 40 knots, while the central pressure fell to 996 hPa. The cyclone’s circulation remained compact, and its northward track placed Japan’s southwestern islands and the Korean Peninsula within the area affected by outer rain bands.
By 19 August, Jongdari had passed its strongest stage and continued toward the Korean Peninsula. The storm did not undergo the prolonged strengthening phase associated with major typhoons, instead maintaining tropical storm intensity before environmental conditions caused gradual weakening.
Korea Under Heavy Rain: Jongdari’s Bands Trigger Flooding Across Coastal Cities
Jongdari’s most significant impacts occurred in South Korea as the storm approached from the south. The Korea Meteorological Administration issued heavy rain warnings for affected areas, including parts of the Seoul metropolitan region, southern provinces, and coastal districts. The warnings covered areas facing intense rainfall, flooding risks, and transportation disruptions as the cyclone moved closer to the peninsula.
The storm’s rain bands produced intense downpours across southern South Korea, including areas around Busan and Ulsan. Local authorities reported flooded roads, submerged vehicles, and disruptions to normal traffic operations as rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems in some locations. Emergency officials responded to water-related incidents while residents were advised to remain alert in low-lying areas.
Jongdari weakened while crossing the peninsula, but its moisture supply continued to generate heavy rainfall. The Korea Meteorological Administration maintained weather warnings as the system moved northeastward, with rainfall affecting central and eastern parts of the country.
Japan also experienced weather effects before Jongdari reached Korea. Areas around Okinawa and the southern Japanese islands recorded periods of rain, rough seas, and gusty winds as the cyclone moved through nearby waters. Coastal communities monitored marine conditions as the storm’s circulation affected surrounding waters despite remaining below typhoon strength.
The storm’s impacts were concentrated primarily in South Korea and Japan, with no direct effects on the Philippines or other parts of Southeast Asia. In South Korea, reports focused on flooding incidents, rainfall-related disruptions, and precautionary measures taken by local authorities as Jongdari passed through the region.
From Tropics to Extratropical: Jongdari’s Rapid Dissipation Over the Sea of Japan
After affecting South Korea, Jongdari weakened into a tropical depression on 20 August. The system was located near 35.2°N, 125.6°E at 15:00 UTC, with its tropical structure becoming increasingly disrupted as it moved into higher latitudes.
The cyclone continued northeastward through the Sea of Japan while losing its organized circulation. By 21 August, Jongdari had moved beyond the Korean Peninsula and toward the waters near Japan’s northern regions. Its remaining impacts were mainly associated with rainfall and residual weather disturbances rather than strong tropical winds.
The system completed extratropical transition on 22 August as it moved over the northern western Pacific. The transition marked the end of Jongdari’s tropical lifecycle after four days of classification as a tropical cyclone.
According to the final track data, Jongdari became extratropical at 00:00 UTC on 22 August near 42.8°N, 134.8°E. The remnant system was last recorded at 12:00 UTC on 22 August near 44.7°N, 138.3°E, with a central pressure of 1000 hPa.