Korea battles blackouts, flooding as monsoon rains batter nation

Social Affairs

Published: 02 Jul. 2024, 18:15 Updated: 02 Jul. 2024, 18:16

Korea battles blackouts, flooding as monsoon rains batter nation

People walk past the Cheonggyecheon, a stream that flows through downtown Seoul, which was closed for safety reasons following a heavy rain advisory on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Heavy rain and strong winds pounded the country on Tuesday, causing power outages, flooding houses and disrupting flights. Streams and mountains were also closed.

Due to heavy rain that began Tuesday morning, a power outage was reported at a shopping area in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, around noon, with the blackout lasting for about an hour, according to Korea Electric Power Corporation.

A heavy rain advisory was issued for areas including Seoul, Incheon, as well as parts of Gyeonggi, Chungcheong and Jeolla, at 10 a.m., according to the Korea Meteorological Agency (KMA). This advisory is issued when precipitation is expected to exceed 60 millimeters within three hours or 110 millimeters in 12 hours.

Heavy rain advisory issued across capital, inland regions

In response to the advisory, the Seoul Metropolitan Government closed off entrances to 29 streams in Seoul, including the Cheonggyecheon.

Entry to mountains such as Mount Seorak in Gangwon and Mount Halla in Jeju were also banned.

The severe weather prompted some Gyeonggi residents to evacuate their homes. As of 4 p.m., Gyeonggi emergency authorities had fielded around 55 rain-related cases, including 10 flooded houses and three landslides.

In Incheon, authorities received nine damage reports by 1:25 p.m., including road flooding due to overflowing sewers and tree damage.

The rain front moved further north on Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall of 10 to 30 millimeters per hour to greater Seoul and northern regions, according to the KMA.

People with umbrellas cross a crosswalk near Gwanghwamun in Jongno District, central Seoul, as a heavy rain advisory was issued for the city on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Strong winds accompanied the heavy rain, leading to strong wind advisories for Jeju Island, parts of South Chungcheong and the Jeolla region. Later in the day, a strong wind warning was issued for northern Jeju.

The severe weather disrupted 22 domestic flights and delayed 59 others, both domestic and international, at Jeju International Airport as of 1 p.m., authorities said.

The exterior wall of an apartment and a window at a hotel reportedly blew away on Jeju Island on Tuesday morning.

Following a heavy rain forecast, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo ordered all-out efforts Tuesday to prevent damage from torrential downpours.

He instructed officials to inspect safety protocols in landslide and flood-prone areas and ensure the timely dissemination of weather updates.

Han ordered government officials, police and first responders to maintain a round-the-clock emergency response system in areas where torrential rain is expected.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety began Level 1 operations of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to respond to the heavy rainfalls at 7:30 a.m.

The warning level was elevated to “caution” from the previous “attention.”

As monsoon season begins, the KMA advises the public to avoid camping since downstream water levels can rapidly increase due to heavy rainfall near upstream rivers.

People are also warned against visiting trails along streams or underground tunnels and to be particularly cautious of lowland and stream flooding and rapid currents.

The KMA told people to be prepared for accidents and potential damage to facilities due to strong winds and to be careful of electric shocks near flooded areas and car engine failures.

Through Wednesday, most regions are expected to receive 30 to 80 millimeters of rain, with northern Gyeonggi and northern Gangwon anticipating up to 120 millimeters. Seoul, Incheon, southern Gyeonggi, and southern Gangwon could see up to 100 millimeters.

Most of the advisories on strong winds and heavy rains, including in Seoul, had been lifted as of 5 p.m.

The KMA forecasts heavy rain and strong winds in most parts of the country until Wednesday.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]