Over 1,500 displaced as heavy rains batter southern provinces

By AJP Posted : September 22, 2024, 11:34 Updated : September 22, 2024, 11:47
Cars are stranded on a flooded road in Busan on Sept. 21, 2024. Yonhap
SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Unusual autumnal torrential downpours swept across southern regions, causing landslides and flooding, and displacing more than 1,500 people, authorities said on Sunday.

The record heavy rains also led to submerged roads and inundated buildings.

Although heavy rain warnings have been lifted, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) warned of more rainfalls across the southern provinces later in the day.

The hardest-hit areas included South Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces as well as Gangwon Province. The resort island of Jeju recorded 764.5 mm of rainfall between Friday and Saturday, while Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province received 519.2 mm. Sacheon, also in South Gyeongsang Province, saw 404.5 mm, and Yeosu in South Jeolla Province had 399.5 mm.

In particular, Changwon saw a record 397.7 mm of rainfall on Saturday alone, the highest amount of the precipitation recorded in a single day for any September. Additionally, 104.9 mm of rain fell within one hour, breaking the hourly record set in July 2009 (102.0 mm). This level of precipitation is said to have a one-in-200-year occurrence.

While no casualties have been reported so far, the record heavy rains caused severe damage to homes and facilities across the country. 

As of Sunday morning, over 1,500 people from 1,014 households across seven provinces, including Busan, North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, North Jeolla and South Jeolla, have been evacuated.

Rail services were also affected, with several routes either canceled or suspended. A total of 77 passenger ships on 55 routes were stranded, while 16 flights were canceled.

The KMA warned of further rainfall through Sunday, with up to 100 mm expected in southern provinces with gusty winds.

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