Rains pound capital, but other parts are dry

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Rains pound capital, but other parts are dry

Published: 30 Jun. 2022, 17:49

A used-car dealership in Suwon, Gyeonggi, is submerged as a heavy rain warning was issued for the capital and its surrounding areas on Thursday. [YONHAP]

Torrential rain pounded the capital and central regions on Thursday, with roads inundated and damage reported across the country.

The city of Seoul closed the Dongbu Expressway, which runs from southeastern Songpa district to Uijeongbu, the northeastern city of Gyeonggi, at 6:43 a.m. after heavy rains pushed up the water level of the nearby Jungnangcheon Stream.

The rain subsided and traffic was allowed back on the expressway at 11:30 a.m. But the rain picked up and traffic was stopped again at 1:25 p.m.

Traffic on Olympic-daero, a main artery in Seoul, was restricted from 11:40 a.m. as discharges from the Paldang Dam raised the water level of the Han River.

The Jamsu Bridge over the Han in central Seoul was shut at 9:04 a.m. Thursday because the water level reached 6.22 meters. At 6.2 meters, vehicle traffic is supposed to be restricted on the bridge, and at 6.5 meters it fills with water.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, one person died after the roof of a house collapsed in strong rain in Gongju, South Chungcheong, at around 8:40 a.m. Thursday.

A total of 11 flooding cases were reported nationwide, including of seven houses and two shopping complexes.

In addition, 150 hectares of rice were flooded in Dangjin, South Chungcheong, and 20 greenhouses were flooded in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi.

An elementary school in Dongnae District, Busan, had a wall collapse, and 110 tons of earth and sand were deposited on a road in Yongin, Gyeonggi.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), precipitation by region from 3 p.m. the previous day to 3 p.m. Thursday was 279.5 millimeters in Seosan, South Chungchong; 246.5 millimeters in Dangjin; 252.5 millimeters in Seosin, Hwaseong; 154 millimeters in Seoul; and 134.5 millimeters in Cheolwon, Gangwon.

“The rain is expected to stop tomorrow afternoon,” the KMA said.

Rain warnings were issued in the capital and surrounding areas, while heat wave alerts were still in place in the southern parts, resulting in extremely contrasting weather.

Although the annual rainy season recently hit the country, Jeju hasn’t seen proper rain since June 24 except for in some mountainous areas.

The east coast of Gangwon, Gwangju, South Jeolla, Jeju, Pohang, and Daegu had tropical nights overnight, referring to when temperatures fall no lower than 25 Celsius between 6:01 p.m. and 9 a.m.

As of 3 p.m. Thursday, the daytime highs were 34.8 degrees in Daegu, 34.3 degrees in Pohang, and 33.7 degrees in Gyeongju.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]