Tropical Storm Muifa hits China, Koreas

Chinese residents spend a night at a school in China's Shandong province on August 8, 2011.Tropical storm Muifa makes landfall in North KoreaFour deaths are reported in South Korea, the Yonhap News Agency reportsAt least 490,000 people have been evacuated in China, Xinhau reports
(CNN) -- Tropical Storm Muifa made landfall in North Korea on Monday, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
The storm, which was downgraded from typhoon status on Monday, came ashore in North Korea about 7 p.m. Monday, said CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller.
"It's quickly losing its tropical characteristics and losing strength as we speak," he said.
Four people died and two others were reported missing in Seoul, South Korea, where the storm passed Monday evening, the semi-official Yonhap News Agency reported.
In China, at least 490,000 people had been evacuated from Shandong and Liaoning provices in the eastern part of the country, Xinhua reported. No deaths or injuries were reported.
In Dalian, authorities were able to avert the spill of toxic chemicals from an industrial plant after 65-foot (20-meter) waves broke through a dike protecting the area and threatened to flood the plant, according to Xinhau. Workers dumped concrete and rocks to fill in the hole.
The plant contains cancer-causing chemicals used to make polyester film and fabrics, Xinhau said.

Posted in: China,Koreas,Muifa,Storm,Tropical