Typhoon kills at least five in South Korea

SEOUL, July 10 (Reuters) A typhoon that killed more than 30 people across China slammed into the Korean peninsula today, killing at least five more, flooding farms and affecting transport, officials said.

Heavy rain and strong winds lashed South Korea's west coast as Typhoon Ewiniar cut a northeast path across the country, dumping as much as 7.9 inches of rain in South Kyongsang province, weather officials said.

Four people were killed and another went missing yesterday as the typhoon approached the peninsula. One woman died today when she was swept away in a swollen river, the National Emergency Management Agency said.

Flood waters destroyed several dozen homes, broadcaster YTN reported. Numerous flights were also cancelled.

The storm was losing strength as it headed toward southern parts of North Korea and then to waters east of the peninsula, weather officials said.

Typhoon Ewiniar, which prompted evacuations of cities along China's eastern seaboard on Saturday, missed China altogether but caused flooding due to heavy rains. It then weakened into a tropical storm and rolled into South Korea.

REUTERS KD RN1543