Heavy rain exceeding 270 millimeters has fallen in southern regions and Jeju, providing much-needed relief to drought-stricken agricultural areas. However, the intense rainfall has also led to flooding and traffic accidents. Rain is expected to continue until the 17th.
According to Yonhap News Agency on the 16th, a low-pressure system moving northeast over the Yellow Sea has brought strong rain accompanied by thunder and lightning to southern regions and Jeju.
In Gyeongnam, the area of Geumnam in Hadong recorded 114.5 millimeters of rain, with total precipitation in the region ranging from 40 to 100 millimeters. Rainfall in Busan and along the western coast of Jeonbuk is expected to help alleviate drought conditions in agricultural areas and reduce algal blooms in the Nakdong River.
However, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and eastern Jeonbuk saw only 10 to 30 millimeters of rain. The reservoir levels for agricultural water in Gyeongbuk stand at 42.9%, significantly below the average of 65.4%.
In Jeonnam and Gwangju, reports of damage from heavy rain have been frequent. By 10:30 a.m., a total of 125 reports of flooding in homes, roads, and commercial areas had been received. In Naju, fallen trees and sewage backups were reported.
In Gyeongnam, safety measures were implemented as rockslides occurred in Hadong and a utility pole fell in Uiryeong. In Gimhae, a supermarket basement was flooded, prompting firefighting authorities to carry out drainage operations.
In Jeju, strong winds accompanied the rain, causing trees to fall on Route 516 and in the Namwon area of Seogwipo. Roads in Beophwan-dong were also flooded, leading to drainage efforts.
Transportation on land and at sea has been disrupted. In Jeonnam, some ferry services have been suspended, and trails in national parks such as Mudeungsan and Jirisan in Jeonnam are also closed.
In Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, a tourist bus overturned on a rainy road, resulting in one person seriously injured and 17 others sustaining minor injuries. In Cheongju, Chungbuk, two people were injured in a traffic accident due to the rain.
The Korea Forest Service has raised the landslide warning level from 'attention' to 'caution' for Jeonnam, Gwangju, and the regions of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that heavy rain of 20 to 50 millimeters per hour will continue until the 17th, particularly in eastern Jeonnam, Gyeongsang regions, and Jeju. There is also a possibility of additional rainfall exceeding 150 to 250 millimeters in the southern coast of Gyeongnam and near Jirisan.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.