Over 70 Damage Reports Including Retaining Wall Collapse and House Flooding Received
Yeonggwang Records 66.4mm per Hour... Up to 80mm Forecasted Until the 30th
Since the heavy monsoon rain that started on the 28th has continued until the afternoon of the 29th, two students are walking precariously along the swollen Gwangjucheon Stream promenade.
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters reporters Yoon Jamin and Sung Seulgi] Since the 28th, concentrated heavy rain close to a "water bomb" with 40-50mm per hour has fallen in the Gwangju and Jeonnam areas, causing continuous flood damage such as retaining walls behind buildings collapsing and houses being flooded.
In particular, in the Yeonggwang area, heavy rain of up to 66.4mm per hour was recorded.
According to the Gwangju Fire Headquarters on the 29th, as of 3 p.m., about 60 flood damage reports have been received, with 11 safety measures and drainage support dispatched to 53 locations, mobilizing a total of 155 firefighters and 68 pieces of equipment.
At around 1:35 p.m. that day, a retaining wall behind an industrial building in Songha-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, collapsed, allowing rainwater to flow into the factory, and drainage work was carried out using submersible pumps and other equipment.
Around the same time, the basement warehouse of a clothing store in Chungjang-ro 1-ga, Dong-gu, was flooded, and drainage work was also carried out using pumps.
Earlier that morning, a report was received of a fallen tree in front of Pureun Village Complex 1 in Dongnim-dong, Buk-gu, and near Chosun University Hospital, a retaining wall collapsed, damaging three parked vehicles.
On the morning of the 29th, a retaining wall near Chosun University in Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City collapsed, damaging three cars. Since the previous day, 136mm of heavy rain had fallen near Chosun University.
Water levels rose around Gwangju Stream and Hwangryong River (Jangnokgyo Bridge) areas, leading to restricted access.
In the Jeonnam region, 30 flood damage reports were received.
At around 8:18 a.m. that day, soil collapsed on a slope behind a house in Naegye-ri, Samgye-myeon, Jangseong-gun, burying part of the house in earth. There were no casualties, and firefighters who responded secured the area before handing it over to Jangseong County.
Earlier, at 6:22 p.m. the previous day, the yard of a house in Singye-ri, Gokseong-eup, Gokseong-gun was flooded, and drainage work was carried out using a pump truck.
At around 8:18 a.m. on the 29th, soil collapsed down a slope behind a house in Naegye-ri, Samgye-myeon, Jangseong-gun, and firefighters are carrying out restoration work. Photo by Jeonnam Fire Headquarters
Meanwhile, the monsoon rain this time was recorded as 191.5mm in Yeonggwang, 167.5mm in Jangseong (Sangmudae), 136mm in Gwangju (Chosun University), 98mm in Gokseong (Seokgok), and 96.5mm in Hampyeong from the previous day until 3:30 p.m. on this day in the Gwangju and Jeonnam areas.
The Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration forecasted that rain would stop in most areas around 6 p.m. that day but would start again in the late afternoon, expecting up to 150mm more rainfall in Gwangju and Jeonnam until the 30th.
As of 4:10 p.m. that day, the heavy rain advisory for the Gwangju and Jeonnam areas was lifted, but heavy rain advisories are expected to be reissued early on the 30th for Yeonggwang, Hampyeong, Jangseong, Gurye, Gokseong, and Damyang areas in Jeonnam.
A Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration official said, "Due to the heavy rain falling strongly in a short period, rivers and valleys may suddenly swell, so special caution is required," adding, "The ground has weakened due to the continuous rain, raising concerns about damage such as landslides and retaining wall collapses."
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