Torrential downpour hits Seoul, triggering emergency alerts and commuter chaos

Social Affairs

Published: 17 Jul. 2024, 10:43 Updated: 17 Jul. 2024, 13:45

Torrential downpour hits Seoul, triggering emergency alerts and commuter chaos

A trail path along the Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul is flooded by rain on Wednesday, a day when heavy rain advisories have been issued. [NEWS1]

Heavy rain warnings were issued across Seoul, triggering this year's first emergency texts alerting residents to the downpours. Some subways are experiencing delays and roads are blocked due to the heavy rain.

As of 8:25 a.m., rainfall rates of around 70 millimeters (2.8 inches) per hour drenched the capital and inland Gangwon. Northern Gyeonggi faced even stronger downpours, with rates of around 100 millimeters per hour, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

The intense rain caused the Jungnangcheon Stream in Seoul to swell, leading to the closure of all sections of the Dongbu Expressway since 9:07 a.m. Subway trains in northern Gyeonggi are also experiencing delays.

A heavy rain warning was issued for all areas of Seoul at 8:45 a.m. This warning is triggered when rainfall exceeds 90 millimeters in three hours or 180 millimeters in 12 hours.

Seongbuk District in central Seoul recorded more than 50 millimeters of rain per hour at 9:20 a.m., prompting emergency texts to be sent to residents in Seongbuk and Jongno Districts. Earlier, between 4:24 a.m. and 7:45 a.m., 10 emergency texts were sent to northern Gyeonggi.

This is the first time such alerts have been sent to the greater Seoul area this year.

Emergency texts warning of the heavy downpour are sent to residents by the KMA when hourly rainfall exceeds 50 millimeters, three-hour rainfall exceeds 90 millimeters or one-hour rainfall exceeds 72 millimeters. Last year, the system was piloted in the Seoul metropolitan area and used six times. It is now operational in Seoul, South Jeolla and North Gyeongsang.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government advised residents to check traffic conditions in advance and use public transportation whenever possible.

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