SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) -Torrential monsoon rains battered Seoul and central South Korea on Thursday, suspending Han River ferry services, triggering flood and landslide alerts, forcing evacuations and flooding roads and homes across the country.
Seoul suspended operations at five Han River Bus piers from the first departure at 11 a.m. after heavy rain warnings were issued across the capital. Services were halted at Jamsil, Ttukseom, Seoul Forest, Oksu and Apgujeong piers, while the western Magok–Yeouido route remained in operation.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government raised its emergency response to Level 2 at 12:10 p.m., mobilizing 5,286 officials as heavy rain swept across the city.
All 29 streams under the city's management were closed to the public, while 25 stormwater pumping stations were partially activated. Authorities also stepped up inspections of drainage facilities, landslide-prone hillsides and underpasses.
The Korea Meteorological Administration issued heavy rain warnings for western and northern Seoul and heavy rain advisories for the eastern districts. Rain is forecast to continue through Friday, with 30 to 80 millimeters expected in the capital and locally more than 120 mm.
Geumcheon District recorded the city's highest rainfall at 73.5 mm by 1 p.m., while Gwanak District saw hourly precipitation reach 39 mm. Rising water levels prompted flood advisories for the Mokgam Stream and Dorim Stream.
The downpours extended across much of central Korea.
The KMA said rainfall rates reached as much as 50 mm per hour across the Chungcheong provinces, with cumulative precipitation since Wednesday exceeding 220 mm in Daejeon and Cheongju. Another 200 mm of rain was forecast for parts of the Chungcheong and southern regions through Thursday night.
Nationwide, landslide and flood advisories remained in effect as emergency crews responded to flooding and structural damage.
In Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, 82 residents were evacuated to village halls and senior centers over fears that a reservoir could overflow. Firefighters also rescued two residents trapped inside a flooded house.
In Cheongju, an embankment collapsed in the Gadeok district, forcing residents and staff at a nursing home to evacuate to a nearby welfare facility.
In Daejeon, firefighters rescued two people stranded inside a vehicle after roads were inundated.
Authorities received 145 reports of rain-related damage nationwide between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, including flooded homes, submerged vehicles and fallen trees, as emergency officials warned the risk of flash floods and landslides would remain elevated until the rain band moves south later Thursday.
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