Downpours wreak havoc on flights, Children's Day events

Travelers look at the departures board at Jeju International Airport on Sunday, as dozens of flights were canceled due to heavy rain and adverse weather conditions during the long weekend. [YONHAP]

Flights were canceled, roads damaged and other incidents reported amid heavy rainfall nationwide Sunday as the nation marked Children's Day.

Fun outdoors Children's Day events and festivities were also canceled, while an elderly Jeju woman was stranded in her car.

Dozens of flights were canceled or delayed at Jeju International Airport amid downpours during the three-day weekend.

According to the Korea Airport Corporation, 63 Jeju International Airport flights — 34 outbound and 29 inbound — were canceled as of 5 p.m. Sunday, leaving many passengers stranded.

Airport authorities said the cancellations were due to the harsh weather at both Jeju International Airport and Gimhae International Airport.

"I don't know what to do after receiving a cancellation message as I was supposed to return to Busan," a 42-year-old passenger, surnamed Choi, told the JoongAng Ilbo. "I'm planning to wait at the airport for now, but if I can't go back to the mainland today, I have to explain the situation to my company and change my work shift."

Some 186 flights were also delayed, causing inconvenience to passengers.

The airport is currently under a wind shear advisory, and strong wind warnings have been issued across the island.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said that strong winds and wind shear are expected to continue until Tuesday morning, possibly disrupting the airport's operation.

It also advised passengers to check their flight information in advance for possible disruptions.

A woman in her 70s was reported to have gotten stuck in her car while driving in Jeju at around 12:46 p.m. after a nearby stream suddenly rose due to the rain, according to the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters.

The woman was safely rescued by emergency workers and went home unharmed.

The harsh weather not only canceled flights but also outdoor events.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government canceled its Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Festival held in southern Seoul, which runs every Sunday from noon to nighttime until Nov. 2.

Boseong County, South Jeolla, moved its tea festival's Children's Day event indoors to a nearby gymnasium and halted all outdoor events.

In South Jeolla, fire authorities received 10 damage reports, including road flooding and falling street trees due to the heavy rain accompanied by strong wind.

A total of 50 ferries were also halted in the region as wind and wave advisories were issued at sea.

The torrential rain also affected the KBO baseball games, canceling five matches scheduled in Seoul, Incheon, Gwangju, Daegu and Suwon.

The heavy rain also left famous tourist sites and amusement parks, such as Songdo Central Park and Wolmi Culture Street in Incheon, empty. These are often crowded with people during the weekends.

The KMA expects the heavy rain to continue through the holiday. Jeju Island and the south coast will experience up to 100 to 200 millimeters (3.9 to 7.8 inches) of rain, accompanied by strong gusts of wind.

Other inland regions are expected to receive 20 to 60 millimeters of rain sporadically.

Seoul's morning low is expected to be 14 degrees Celsius (57.3 degrees Fahrenheit), with a midday high at 16 degrees Celsius.

BY KIM JI-YE, CHOI KYEONG-HO, HWANG HEE-GYU, CHOI CHOONG-IL [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]