Aussie teens competing at the event dubbed the “Olympics for scouts” might have survived the severe heatwave but have been forced to leave as a typhoon bears down on South Korea.
The World Scout Jamboree hosts 158 countries and 43,000 teens who participate in 10 days of camping and other activities.
The Australians have stuck it out through the severe heatwave.
”We’re used to (the heat),” Australia’s deputy contingent leader Lloyd Nurthen told 2GB’s Deb Knight.
“Fundamentally being prepared isn’t just about having the right gear, it’s really about adapting and facing challenges face-on.
“Us Aussies have faced this weather head-on.”
In the spirit of preparedness, Nurthen praised Australians for wearing their Akubras and sun-safe koala hats when other children weren’t so prepared for the severe heat.
“Some kids don’t have hats on which is a shame but the Aussies are prepared,” he said.
But Typhoon Khanun is a challenge the Australian team won’t be facing head-on, as it careens towards South Korea.
The typhoon has already brought winds of 126km/h and 30cm of rain to Japan.
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It left hundreds of thousands of homes without power, damaged properties and left dozens of people injured.
Nurthen said although the jamboree site isn’t directly in the firing line of the typhoon, it will cause severe winds.
“We’re heading to Seoul, we’ll be offsite by Wednesday afternoon. Similar to the UK and US contingents,” he said.
”We can cope with the heat very well but a typhoon is a different thing to deal with.”
As the event battles a series of extreme weather events, the World Organisation of the Scout Movement asked South Korean organisers to consider ending the event early.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said earlier the government is determined to have the event continue until August 12 as the country recorded its hottest summer in years with temperatures reaching close to 40 degrees.
He promised more medical staff, air-conditioned vehicles and structures that provide shade.
Local news reported thousands of scouts had fallen sick as a result of the heatwave.
But it is unclear whether the event will continue as the typhoon is forecast to hit in several days.
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